CABANATUAN CITY – At least 1,789 farmers from various irrigators’ associations (IAs) within the service area of the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigations System (NIA-UPRIIS) get benefits from solar-powered irrigation.
Engr. Alvin Manuel, Sr., acting department manager of NIA-UPRIIS, said their office has implemented 92 solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs) to help augment irrigation water supply to 2,468.05 hectares of farmland and irrigate an additional 128.15 hectares of new areas across its six division offices.
NIA under administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen is pushing for the establishment of SPIPs to help ease farmers’ fuel costs and support environmental sustainability. The initiative likewise aims to enhance agricultural productivity and increase farmers’ income, he said.
“A total of 1,789 farmer-members of various IAs and their families are expected to benefit from the now completed SPIPs established by NIA-UPRIIS for CY 2024 alone. With 147 pump units fully installed in 21 municipalities and cities in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, and Pampanga, the agency has been receiving numerous letters of gratitude from IA beneficiaries,” he said.
“Ang biyayang ito ay malaking tulong para sa aming magsasaka upang masiguro ang patubig sa aming sakahan at makamit ang masaganang ani. Hindi lamang ito isang proyekto kundi isang pagkakataon para sa aming mga kasapi na lalong mapaunlad ang aming kabuhayan at makapag-ambag sa ikauunlad ng aming komunidad,” Guillen quoted one letter.
