THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao highlighted the optimization of water resources allocation in agriculture during the 2023 Northern Mindanao Integrated Water Security Summit.
According to DA Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota Madriaga, the irrigation development in Northern Mindanao is at 67.3 percent, wherein 83,557 hectares are already irrigated out from the 124,200 hectares of irrigable areas.
"The remaining 32.7 percent or 40,643 hectares will be proposed for irrigation development under the National Irrigation Administration and Small-Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIPs) of DA-10," Madriaga said.
The regional technical director added that the agriculture department in Northern Mindanao has completed 34 SSIPs that amount to around P215.7 million and serving 653 hectares.
The DA-Northern Mindanao has also allocated P48.239 million for the construction of 12 SSIPs across Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte for the 2022 to 2023 period.
Madriaga also encouraged registered farmers' organizations with at least 15 members in Northern Mindanao to submit their letter of intent endorsed by their respective local chief executives if they wish to avail themselves of big-ticket projects such as irrigation projects.
"Upon receipt of the LOI, DA-10 through our Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) will validate the site in terms of criteria set by [a particular] irrigation project that you are applying for, and later on, compliance of documentary requirements will follow," she said.
Madriaga added that covered in the implementation of SSIPs are those production areas for development or improvement depending on the type.
She said that as a mandatory requirement, right-of-way should be settled for any proposed project sites.