ILOILO CITY: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has successfully completed 50 solar pump irrigation projects in Western Visayas. These projects are now servicing 918 hectares of agricultural land and benefiting 661 farmers, according to an official report released on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, NIA’s acting Regional Manager, Engineer Jonel Borres, shared this development during a briefing at Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas. He further mentioned that 28 additional solar pump irrigation projects are currently underway. Once these projects are completed by the second quarter of 2025, the total service area will expand to 1,423 hectares, positively impacting a total of 1,061 farmers in the region.
Borres explained that the agency’s efforts align with NIA’s objective of modernizing irrigation across the country by advocating for energy-efficient and sustainable resource management solutions. The solar pump irrigation projects aim to facilitate year-round farming, enhance access to water
for farmers, and boost agricultural productivity, particularly in remote areas where traditional gravity irrigation systems are not feasible.
The solar pump irrigation systems are strategically implemented in regions where water can be sourced from rivers or underground reservoirs. Borres noted that these systems will supplement the 12 existing irrigation systems in the area, which rely on river water and are often insufficient during the dry season.
Borres also highlighted that over PHP700 million has been allocated for these initiatives, which are deemed a priority by NIA’s top management.