NIA uses solar power irrigation

NATIONAL Irrigation Administration Cordillera used to venture into new techonologies like

solar-powered irrigation to minimize the use of diesel and gasoline.

Chief Engineering Section Samuel Bahiwag said the agency is looking positive in implementing the solar powered irrigation for farmers.

During the weekly conference, ‘Kapihan sa Benguet’ on Wednesday, solar irrigation is eyed to pump surface ground water as an alternative in using engine that usually consume diesel or gasoline.

"Mas malaki ang ating gastos doon sa mga gumagamit ng pumps with diesel and fuel so nowadays, as part of the advancement of technology, we are moving towards other technologies that of the solar irrigation," added Bahiwag.

Solar power irrigation system has capacity to irrigate depending on the design and the site investigation. Cordillera, a region for its highland value crops and provinces into rice production, irrigation plays vital role in the agriculture. With the rugged terrain, mountainous area and scars water resources has become a challenge.

In Benguet Province, almost all farm lands are devoted to vegetable growing and farmers often times utilize surface pumps and shallow tube wells while gravity irrigation is used in low lying areas such as Kalinga and Apayao.

"We are moving to embrace the development solar-powered irrigation," added Bahiwag.

At least P5 million is being earmarked for the initial installation of solar powered irrigation in Abra with Kalinga and Ifugao following suit.

"Ang isang konsiderasyon sa paggamit natin ng solar power ay para maminize iyong use ng diesel, gasolina at iyong mahirap tayong maka-connect sa electricity, we will now use the solar power. In the first state of the implementation, may kamahalan ito ng kaunti, however, in the long run, dahil ito naman ay hindi gumagamit ng mga extra expenses ay nakokompensate din," the engineer adds.