Dinagat Islands strengthens food security with P7-M irrigation projects
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Water supply or irrigation to our farmlands is very important to sustain the gains of agriculture in the province and contribute to national food security.
This is the statement of Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. during the turnover of a P7 million worth of small scale irrigation projects in the province, covering a 50-hectare service area and benefiting 80 farmers from the towns of Basilisa, Cagdianao, Libjo and Tubajon, held at the Capitol Dome, Barangay Cuarinta in San Jose on February 3.
Spearheaded by the provincial government of Dinagat Islands through the Provincial Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Office (PABEO), the eight small-scale irrigation projects include: pump irrigation system for the Laguna Farmers Association (LFA); spring development for the Upper Laguna Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ULFARCO); solar powered irrigation to benefit the Edera Farmers Association; check dam for the Dannapa Agri-Multipurpose Cooperative (DAMPC); ram pump irrigation system for the Nueva Estrella Farmers and Fisherfolk Association; mobile solar pump irrigation for the Bolod-Bolod Irrigation Association; and another spring development for the barangay local government unit of Santa. Cruz in Tubajon. Also included in the ceremonial turnover are irrigation pipes (polyethylene hose) amounting to P500,000.
Conrado C. Semilla, president of the LFA, recalled the challenges of expanding their farm and increasing production because the water source was very far and the members had to use a carabao to carry containers to water their crops.
“Maglisod mi ug padaghan sa amo tanom ug abot kay layo ra ang tubig. Dili maagwanta ang paghakot sa tubig” (It was very difficult to increase our plantation and our production because the source of water is very far. It was laborious to transport water.)
With a good and convenient water source, Semilla said, ‘Now, we can plant anytime, and we don’t have to wait for the rain. We can expand our farm, increase crop productivity, and improve on quality and diversification. Thank you to the provincial government and partners for helping the farmers improve our lives.”
Gov. Demerey said the mobile solar pump irrigation makes access to water convenient because of its mobility and design suited for farm roads. It is cost-efficient because it uses solar power.
“The solar pump irrigation, known as irrigation on wheels, is our first modern irrigation equipment in the province. Our farmers can now plant anytime even if it’s dry season. We added an all-terrain vehicle so the irrigation system will reach far-flung farms and areas.” The governor said. “Also the province has the most number of ram pump irrigation systems in Mindanao, contributing greatly to our economic growth.”
The provincial government of Dinagat Islands, together with partner agencies and stakeholders, will continue to modernize and mechanize agriculture in the province, acknowledging the critical role of sustainable and resilient irrigation in achieving food sufficiency and security. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from Dinagat Islands PIO)
