DAR turns over P37-M irrigation in Lanao del Norte

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over  P37-million worth of communal irrigation system to the farmer-beneficiaries of  Maigo and Kolambugan municipalities in Lanao del Norte  to boost the communities’ agricultural products.

Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong, who led the turn over rites, said the Kulasihan Communal Irrigation project is a joint endeavour of the DAR and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), implemented under the  third phase of Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Projects (ARISP III).

“The project will irrigate your farms to help increase your harvest. This is part of the department’s goal to improve the lives of the farmer beneficiaries to ensure food security for the coming generation,” Bistoyong said.

The  Kalambuan agrarian reform community (ARC) located in the two municipalities is the primary beneficiary of the said irrigation project.
Geronima Gumalo, Provincial Adviser for Panaghugpong sa mga Samohante Alang sa Kalambuan ug Kausaban (PASAKA) expressed her endless gratitude and appreciation to the government.  “We are thankful to the government thru the DAR and NIA because of the Kolambugan and Maigo farmers are already inspired to fulfill theirs dreams.  Having this irrigation facilities for our rice fields is a dream come true since we can now make a good harvest even in extreme hot weather,” she said.

The Kulasihan Communal Irrigation Project which is located at Kalambuan ARC in Maigo and Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte has a total area of 120 hectares and it is estimated to benefit 75 farmer beneficiaries of these towns.

NIA Regional ManagerJimmy Apostol  said the local government units teamed up with the DAR and NIA for this project.  He added that other municipalities in this province will also get the same opportunity.

“The beneficiaries of these facilities  will be provided soon with trainings and seminars that would help educate them on how to increase their production. These capability building programs would help transform a sluggish community into a more dynamic and progressive municipalities in this province” Apostol said. (Amy U. Baiño)