The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over to a group of small farmers in Catanduanes a solar-powered irrigation system that will boost their food-production capacity even during the dry season.
The first-of-its kind facility will be enough to irrigate the 5,000-square meter farm of the Ugnayang Lakas ng Dariao Agrarian Reform Cooperative (UNLADCO) based in Barangay Dariao, Caramoran.
The solar-powered irrigation system costs P861,488.50.
It is composed of a 12-unit solar panel module with a 230-watts capacity to energize the 2.3 hp submersible pump aiding the deposit of water supply to two PE storage tanks, each with 2,000-liter capacity where PVC delivery pipes are connected to sufficiently irrigate the cooperative’s farm and also serves about 350 households in the area.
DAR OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Nerisa Aldea said the newly awarded-irrigation system, given its energy-efficient nature, is expected to reduce the production costs, and ensure a year-round increase in yield from root crops and vegetable production activities.
“Through UNLADCO’s steady showcase of promising development, the organization has since been a recipient of various DAR interventions and is now engaged in vegetable farming, egg layering production, commodity trading, cassava chip making, and lending. We are sure that this facility would help boost their farming activities,” Aldea said.
UNLADCO, initially organized on March 15, 2018, and registered with the Cooperative Development Authority on April 16, 2019, has now 352 active members, 201 of which are agrarian reform beneficiaries from 9 adjacent barangays of the municipality of Caramoran-Dariao, Baybay, Icanbato, Bothoan, Toytoy, Camburo, Tucao, Maysuram, and Buenavista.
The irrigation system was implemented under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program in cooperation with the National Irrigation Administration, which aims to provide agricultural extension services and support to farmers to develop resilience amidst the threats of climate change.
The turn-over ceremony of the project was simultaneously conducted with Farm Business School graduation also held in Dariao. FBS is a capacity-building program for farmer-beneficiaries of the department.
The event was attended by Caramoran Mayor Glenda V. Aguilar, Vice-Mayor Chyrrel Dr. Barro, representative of Dariao Barangay Captain Abraham S. Sales, DAR regional and provincial officials, and employees.