The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 8, spearheaded by the Acting Regional Manager Ruby C. Tuan, Jr., aims to complete four (4) Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) this CY 2021. These projects are Bahay Small Irrigation Project (SIP); Camire Communal Irrigation Project (CIP); Kan-ipa Communal Irrigation System (CIS); and May-it SIP.
The construction and installation of three (3) sites of solar pump works, amounting to 16.6M for Bahay SIP in San Miguel, Leyte is expected to serve a total of 108 hectares with 33 farmer beneficiaries of Bahay-San Miguel Irrigators Association, Incorporated.
The Camire-Tanauan-Leyte Irrigators Association, Inc. is a recipient of the ongoing-construction of Camire CIP, amounting to 6M. This aims to serve a total of 50 hectares with 27 farmer beneficiaries.
The construction of three (3) sites solar pump works for Kan-ipa CIS, Baybay City, Leyte, amounting to 18M will serve a total of 100 hectares with 117 farmer beneficiaries. The Kan-ipa Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. is the major recipient of the project.
Also, there is a construction of solar powered pump scheme and irrigation facilities for May-it Small Irrigation Project in Basey, Samar that will generate 17.34 hectares.
These SPIS will enable to increase its cropping intensity by continuously providing timely and reliable irrigation water requirement, especially to the once-a-year cropping or rain-fed areas. Thus, addressing insufficient water supply during dry season or El Niño. These will also increase irrigation development of the region with the projects’ generated area.
SPIS is a cost-efficient and climate change adaptive technology with its advantages including the non-use of fuel, not affected by power interruptions, easy to operate, does not emit greenhouse gases, suitable for remote watershed and rain-fed areas, and requires minimal maintenance.
Implementation of this project is in pursuit to the thrust of the NIA Administrator Ricardo R Visaya for proficient service through innovations and modernization.
