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Farmers in Brgy. Ugbon and neighboring barangays are set to benefit from the recently turned-over β‚±7M Solar Power Irrigation System (SPIS) given to the Sitio Tambis Farmers Association in Leyte, Leyte. This marks a significant milestone for the farming community, offering a sustainable solution to one of agriculture’s oldest challenges: access to water.

The SPIS is a program of the Department of Agriculture under the Small-Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIPs) and was funded under the Rice Program. The system utilizes renewable energy to pump water efficiently, making it especially valuable in off-grid and remote farming areas. By eliminating fuel dependency, it significantly lowers production costs while ensuring consistent irrigation. With reliable access to water, farmers can diversify crops, increase planting frequency, and improve overall yield qualityβ€”key factors in strengthening local food production.

For farmer-beneficiaries like Felimon Rico Licaylicay, a member of the association, the SPIS is more than just infrastructure; it represents hope for a better farming future.β€œπ·π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘™π‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘œπ‘¦, π‘›π‘”π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘šπ‘– β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž 𝐷𝐴 π‘…π‘’π‘”π‘–π‘œπ‘› β„Žπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘”π‘–π‘›π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘ π‘¦π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘š. π·π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ 𝑖𝑛𝑖 π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–π‘π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘” β„Žπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘›, π‘ π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘¦π‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘œ 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 π‘Žπ‘‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘€ π‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘˜π‘‘π‘’β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘š π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘”π‘œπ‘‘ π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘€π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘¦ π‘œ π‘˜π‘’π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘› 𝑑𝑒𝑏𝑖𝑔. π‘Œπ‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘ π‘¦π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘š π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘’π‘› π‘¦π‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘ π‘’π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘š 𝑖𝑛 π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘€π‘– π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘–π‘™π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’,” he said.

[We are so happy that our dream finally came true. The team from the DA Regional Office helped us build an irrigation system, and it’s a huge relief. This past cropping season, our harvests suffered because of the drought, but now I’m optimistic. Having this system will help us make up for the losses on my farm.]

Another farmer, Remedios Garces, President of the Sitio Tambis Farmers Association, echoed this sentiment. She noted that the improved water supply allows them to better manage their crops, especially during the dry season. β€œπ‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ 𝑖𝑛𝑖 π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–π‘π‘’π‘π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘” β„Žπ‘Ž π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘˜π‘’π‘› 𝑑𝑖𝑖𝑛 π‘‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘– π‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘™π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘šπ‘–π‘¦π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘’ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘ π‘ π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘Žπ‘šπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘š β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› 𝑑𝑒𝑏𝑖𝑔 π‘˜π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘– π‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘– π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› π‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘– π‘šπ‘–π‘¦π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘œ π‘›π‘Ž β„Žπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘›π‘– π‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘’π‘šβ„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘Žπ‘›. 𝐼𝑛𝑖 π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑛 π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘” β„Žπ‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘˜π‘ π‘¦π‘œπ‘› π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿ.”

[I can see that this irrigation system is a massive help to our farmers. It’s not just the association members who benefit; non-members with farm lots near the system will also gain from it. This will ultimately boost rice production and increase the farmers’ overall income.]

Meanwhile, Michael Cabillo, OIC-Municipal Agriculturist, underscored the MAO’s commitment to uplifting farmers through innovative programs and hands-on support. Training sessions, regular monitoring, and technical assistance are lined up to ensure the system is properly managed and maintained by the farmer-beneficiaries.

β€œπΌπ‘› π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘  π‘œπ‘“ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘†π‘œπ‘™π‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘€π‘’π‘Ÿ πΌπ‘Ÿπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘†π‘¦π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘š, π‘Žπ‘™π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦π‘  π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘”π‘–π‘›π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘” π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘šπ‘Ž β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘ π‘–π‘›π‘Ž. π΄π‘Žπ‘‘π‘– π‘Žπ‘› π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘ π‘–π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘”-𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑑𝑒 β„Žπ‘Ž π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘š β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘–π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. π‘π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ž π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘’β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘œπ‘›, π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π΅π‘†π‘Šπ‘€ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝐷𝐴, π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘šπ‘Ž-π‘’π‘›β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘’ π‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘ π‘˜π‘–π‘™π‘™π‘  𝑖𝑛 β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘™π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘“π‘Žπ‘π‘–π‘™π‘–π‘‘π‘¦,” Cabillo said.

[Regarding the maintenance of the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS), we consistently provide updates on DA programs and remind the association of their responsibilities,” Cabillo explained. β€œThe office is here to guide them. Additionally, training will be conducted through the BSWM and DA to enhance their skills in facility handling and water management.]

β€œπΌπ‘› π‘“π‘Žπ‘π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Ž 𝑖𝑠 π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘¦ π‘¦π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘ , π‘ π‘œ π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑠 π‘™π‘œπ‘€π‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘€π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘ . π‘Œπ‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘’ β„Žπ‘–π‘› 𝑑𝑒𝑏𝑖𝑔 π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘”π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘– 𝑖𝑠 π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘›π‘’π‘€π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘”π‘¦ 𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘œπ‘™π‘Žπ‘Ÿ. π‘€π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘š π‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘–π‘  β„Žπ‘–π‘› 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 π‘ π‘œπ‘™π‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘› π‘“π‘Žπ‘π‘–π‘™π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘– π‘π‘œ 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 π‘šπ‘Žπ‘”π‘–π‘”π‘–π‘› π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘› β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘› π‘Žπ‘ π‘ π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. π‘π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘ π‘–π‘”π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘œ π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘š β„Žπ‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘›π‘Žπ‘‘π‘œπ‘› 𝑆𝑃𝐼𝑆. π‘†π‘¦π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘’π‘™π‘‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘› π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘›π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑠 π‘¦π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘¦ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘‘π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž β„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘› π‘‘π‘€π‘œ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘ . π‘‡β„Žπ‘’π‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘’ π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘’ π‘”π‘–β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘› β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘–π‘›π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘’,” he added.

[In the past, even though this area was irrigated for many years, I observed that production remained low because the plants weren’t getting enough water. Now, we have a reliable water source powered by renewable solar energy. Given the current fuel crisis, using solar power ensures the facility won’t become a financial burden to the association. With the SPIS in place, I am confident they can plant every season, resulting in two harvests per year and a significant increase in production and income.]

The SPIS stands as a testament to what collaboration between farmers, local government, and national agencies can achieve. With the sun now fueling their fields, farmers will reduce their production costs since they no longer need to rely on expensive diesel or electricity.