FROM just relying on rains for their rice and sugarcane production, farmers at Hinigaran town in Negros Occidental are now benefiting from solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS), the top official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, in his Facebook post recently, said some farmers in the province are now enjoying the blessings of the “magic” of modern agriculture technology.
Quoting Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, Piñol said the irrigation facility in Barangay Bato is the first of its kind in Negros Occidental.
“Funded by the DA, the SPIS in Hinigaran forms part of almost 200 units being established all over the country as part of the agency’s modernization program,” he added.
The solar-powered irrigation facility could irrigate 60 hectares of rice farms and 40 hectares of sugarcane fields in the area.
Piñol said the SPIS worth P5.99 million is seen to benefit 60 farming families who for years have lived in abject poverty because of the absence of irrigation water.
“Previously, farmers either relied on rain or used diesel engine driven pumps. We also tried before using electric driven pumps but the cost was very high so farmers were reluctant to use it,” Piñol said.
He added that “with this solar power, the farmers will save a lot of money and it will increase their productivity.”
The agriculture chief further said that the DA is currently working on a P44-billion loan from the Israeli Government to establish 6,200 units of computerized SPIS which could provide water for 500,000 hectares.
Of the number, Western Visayas is reported to get 388 units, or 65 in every province including Negros Occidental.