First Solar-Powered Irrigation Project in CagVal Completed

Farmer-beneficiaries in this province will now enjoy the first ever solar-powered irrigation facility in the Cagayan Valley region as it is now completed.

Located at barangay San Esteban in Alcala, Cagayan, the P5.6-million solar-powered irrigation facility is a pet project of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol that is expected to irrigate around 30-hectare ricefields in Alcala town

Farmer–members of the San Esteban Small Water Impounding System Association (SWISA) expressed joy and optimism over the project saying that they can now save on gasoline expenses as they used to utilize mechanical water pump to irrigate their farms.

“With this project, we expect for higher yield and lesser inputs,” said Francisco Versola, barangay captain.

“Kung noon ay gumagastos ng mahigit sampung libo ang mga magsasaka para sa krudo sa pagpapatubig sa pamamagitan ng makina, hindi na ngayon,” added Versola.

For his part, Alex Yere, SWISA president committed to ensure the sustainability of the said project for they will manage and maintain the project.

“Pero sa proyektong ito, maaari na kaming makamenos ng napakalaking halaga na makakatulong sa pang-araw-araw naming gastusin,” said Yere.(MDCT/GVB/With reports from DA Rehiyon Dos/PIA 2-Cagayan)