The NIA-UPRIIS, National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems has finished the development of 5 solar pump irrigation systems for providing effective, efficient, and sustainable irrigation services to farmer-beneficiaries. The systems cost around PHP58.32 million.
Department Manager of NIA-UPRIIS, Engr. Rosalinda Bote stated that 8 additional solar pump irrigation systems are being built and are nearing completion. These projects aim to provide service water for irrigation on almost 377 hectares. This could potentially benefit 504 farmers in the UPRIIS service area.
She also stated that the NIA UPRIIS promotes solar-power pumps within its service areas as part of the agency’s thrust for proficiency and resiliency in proficient irrigation service through modernizations and innovation.
Bote stated that the rise in fuel prices has made it important to consider innovative solar pumps for reducing input costs for farmers.
The NIA has completed 333 solar-powered irrigation projects nationwide, amounting to approximately PHP1.51 billion. These projects can produce a total of 4,215.33 horsepower.
These projects are able to irrigate 6,482.62 hectares of agricultural land, which will benefit 8,467 farmers as well as their families.
