La Union farmers receive solar-powered irrigation from DAR
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over a solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) to increase the farm productivity of farmers in Barangay Mangaan, Santol in La Union.
“Based on our research, we have identified Barangay Mangaan as one of the most arid places in La Union. This area gets too dry in the summer, especially when there is El Nino where it becomes too dry to support vegetation. We are providing our farmers with this solar-powered irrigation because we know that this will greatly increase their production,” Secretary Brother John Castriciones said.
The irrigation system was built under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP).
According to DAR-Ilocos Regional Director Primo Lara, the P1 million-worth SPIS can irrigate three to five hectares and will run on solar energy.
“This type of irrigation system is diesel-free and can irrigate rice and other high-value crops all year round,” Lara said.
The project includes community orientation, planning, and training on the operation of project facility and installation of solar pump equipment.
Lara said the solar-powered irrigation is a complete system which provides fresh water from a well and reservoir for use in livestock, domestic use, and industrial agriculture.
Around seventy-five (75) farmer-members of the Mangaan Agrarian Reform Cooperative, DAR-assisted agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) and their families will benefit from the project.