Agri-10 aids in boosting the high value crops production in Kalilangan town through the installation of a Solar-powered irrigation system.
KALILANGAN, BUKIDNON — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado through its High Value Crops Development program (HVCDP) turned over the Solar-powered Irrigation System (SPIS) to the Sitio Danao High Value Crops Farmers Association, Inc. (HVFAI) on April 4, in Sitio Danao, Barangay Malinao, in this town.
DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the said infrastructure worth P 1,012,221 to the Municipal Government of Kalilangan through Mayor Raymon Charl O. Gamboa, and to the HVFAI through its Chairperson, Manuel F. Suganob.
The SPIS, with a solar array of 12 panels and pump power of 5 horsepower (hp), can irrigate at least 10 hectares of the identified 50-hectare rainfed production area for high value crops in Sitio Danao.
Through this configuration, the irrigation system is geared at enhancing cropping intensity and crop yield, ultimately benefiting the association’s production of high value crops such as sweet potato, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and white potato.
During the ceremony, RTD Madriaga expressed her optimism for the project and its impact on the local production of high value crops in the area.
“We are thrilled that this facility was established here, an expansive area where so much potential lies for a bigger production of high value crops. May this inspire a stronger cooperation between the DA and the local government unit (LGU) and a shared interest in providing more assistance to our farmers here,” Madriaga said.
After citing the agency’s various interventions through the HVCDP and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), including the provision of equipment and infrastructure (greenhouses), RTD Madriaga urged the association to actively work with the LGU to communicate their organization’s needs to the DA through a Letter of Intent.
In his message, Sitio Danao HVFAI chairperson Suganob conveyed his thanks to the agency and described the established facility as a timely provision for their association, comprising some 182 member-farmers.
“Our association is very grateful to have been chosen as one of the recipients of this new Solar-powered Pump Irrigation System (SPIS) from the DA. This provision will greatly help our association, more so now that we are experiencing the effects of El Niño,” Suganob said.
Further, he assured their organization’s responsibility to ensure that the facility remains in good condition.
Present in support of the turnover ceremony were Municipal Board of Agriculture Chairperson Loido L. Padsing, Municipal Agriculturist Edgar A. Cantones, DA-10 Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division – Program and Project Management Section chief Engr. Romil G. Española, HVCDP Assistant focal person and Agriculturist II Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, association board members, and DA-10 staff.# (GDA)