PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday highlighted the use of solar power and the “best high-technology” in the modernization of the agriculture sector and in strengthening efforts to ensure food security in the country.
The President personally inspected the P100 million R.M. Tan Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Barangay R.M. Tan in Ormoc City to ensure that it is working well and delivers on its promise to provide irrigation to 100 hectares of farmland and ensure sufficient supply for two cropping seasons.
“We built a solar-powered irrigation pumping station that covers 100 hectares. So, this is what we are doing – we have built over a hundred of those around the country already. I just wanted to see how it works; it’s beautiful. We’re using the best of high technology. There’s satellite imaging, there’s AI being used. It’s really impressive because the harvest is so good,” Marcos said.
The facility, which is part of the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA’s) 7-Point Strategic Policy Agenda, particularly in Climate-Smart Irrigation Systems, consists of seven units of 10-horsepower capacity solar-powered pumps across two sites and would benefit 92 farmers and their families.
The project replaced the costly diesel pumps and provided farmers with cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient source of irrigation.
It is also expected to boost harvests and improve the income of farming households in the area.
Present during the inspection were NIA Administrator Engr. Guillen, NIA Integrated Management Office for Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Manager Engineer Conrado Samson and personnel from the NIA central office and regional offices, and officers of the R.M. Tan Irrigators Association and farmer-beneficiaries.
