The Dept. of Agriculture-MIMAROPA Office inaugurated the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in the town of Victoria in Oriental Mindoro. The inauguration was led by DA Mimaropa Regional Director Antonio Gerundio and witnessed by Mayor Joselito Malabanan.
The Ph7M project was turned over to the beneficiary-organization of Macatoc Farmers Association. The SPIS in Barangay Macatoc has potential to irrigate 15-18 hectares of ricelands of the farmer-members of the association.
SPIS is an irrigation system powered by the sun’s energy. The system is made up of several solar panels, pump, a controller device, storage device and conveyance structures. It uses open water sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.
Because it harnesses the sun’s energy, its operational cost is much reduced resulting to savings for its members. In her Facebook post, Clarissa San Felipe, Public Information Officer of DA Mimaropa, said that with the SPIS a farmer can save up to Ph60,000. The savings will enable the farmer to plant for the third cropping and spend some for the family’s expenses. (LC)
PIA MIMAROPA 