Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol turned over the P5.7 million solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) project to the people of Libungan, North Cotabato to improve the productivity of rice and corn farms in the area thereby contributing to the country’s food sufficiency.
“The construction of SPIS project here in Barangay Kitubod would allow you to plant three-times a year and harvest not less than 100 sacks of rice per hectare, using certified seeds and proper fertilizer. It is also timely and relevant as the country is currently experiencing dry spell,” Piñol said.
Constructed in less than four months, the P5.7-M irrigation project is equipped with 72 solar panels that could syphon water from Malitubog River and irrigate 60 hectares of rice and corn areas.
According to Barangay Chairman Locsim Ando, local farmers used to practice mono-cropping, which enables them to harvest 10-15 sacks of rice per hectare due to the limited source of water in the area.
“Malaki ang maitutulong sa amin ng SPIS. Kung dati ay minsan lang kami magtanim bawat taon dahil umaasa lang sa pagdating ng ulan, ngayon sa tulong ng SPIS ay maaari na kaming makapagtanim ng tatlong beses kasi year-round na ang suplay ng tubig sa amin,” narrated Ando.
“Maaari na rin kami mag-vegetable gardening,” he added.
In the same event, Piñol honored Rogonio “Goneng” Balentin and his family for donating their four-hectare farmland for the construction of the said SPIS.
Prior to the conception of the SPIS, 88-year old Tatay Goneng thought of the plight of his co-farmers. Thus he unselfishly shared his lot, to ease their burden.
“Tingnan nyo si Tatay, nilapitan at hiningan ng parte ng kanyang lupa para tayuan ng solar panel at bomba, hindi sya humingi ng anumang kundisyon, pumayag agad nang walang reklamo,” the agri chief said.
“Premyuhan ko ang kaalwan ni Tatay Goneng,” Secretary Piñol announced as he ordered DA 12 Regional Executive Director Engr. Milagros Casis to deliver a 45-horsepower Kubota farm tractor with rotavator worth one million pesos for Tatay Goneng.
The same equipment may be leased out to other farmers in the barangay, with the rental money going to Tatay Goneng.
“This is the reward for people like him who generously shares,” Piñol added.
Moreover, Piñol ordered RED Casis to include in her 2020 budget funding for the construction of an upper outlet in the reservoir that would serve as an overflow. He also directed the regional office to install additional pipes to reach the highest and lowest portions of the barangay.
During the event, the agri chief committed a P2-million Loan Fund for Barangay Kitubod’s Economic Enterprise thru the DA’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council with the condition that the Barangay officials shall manage it properly. Piñol also encouraged them to register in the farmers’ national ID system and to insure their crops to the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation.
The agri chief also turned-over additional interventions to the Kitubod farmers such as certified rice/corn seeds (30 sacks), assorted vegetable seeds (50 packs), guyabano planting materials (250 pcs), incubator (2 units), and itik Pinoy (300 heads). ### (Jo Ann Grace B. Pera, DA-AFID)
