THE Province of Abra has four new solar-powered irrigation system.

On May 23, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol led the turn-over of four solar-powered irrigation projects (SPIS) amounting to P6 million each located in the towns of Tayum, Bucay, Danglas and La Paz.

The four SPIS namely Bangbangcag Solar Powered Irrigation System in Sitio Bangbangcag; Pidocol Solar Powered Irrigation System in Sitio Malabbaga; Abot Solar Powered Irrigation System in Sitio Cabaruan; San Vicente Solar Powered Irrigation System in Sitio Bagalay is under the Rice Program 2018 fund.

The solar irrigation project set to irrigate at least 10 hectares as a target service area for every site.

The four solar irrigation projects is part of the six SPIS being implemented by DA-Cordillera including one each for Mt. Province and Ifugao.

Piñol stressed the completion of the different solar powered irrigation system remain timely as provinces of the country face the effects of the dry season.

DA offered to craft a ten-year Agriculture Master Plan for the province. The workshop for the crafting of the Abra Agriculture Master Plan will be conducted after the new officials resume to their office.

The four SPIS were turned over with a total of 173 farmer beneficiaries to Bagalay Solar Powered Irrigators Association, Danglas Farmers Brotherhood Association Inc., Malabbaga La Paz Farmers Association, Bangon Nagbalitangan Farmers Association.

In 2016, the agriculture official introduced the new program of the agency that involve the use of solar technology to power pumps.

Farmers on the same day were asked to manage the recently turned over projects.