Solar Pump Irrigation Projects for Cagayan North ARBs

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) have completed the ground validation of three sites in Cagayan province for the construction and implementation of Solar Pump Irrigation Systems for agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province costing approximately P877,500.00 per site.

     It was during a trip to Aparri, Cagayan Valley where Department of Agricultute Secretary Emmanuel Pinol found out the irony of so much available water in the vast Cagayan River but rice fields just beside it were dry and unproductive during summer months.

     On December 23, 2016 the DAR through Secretary Rafael "Ka Paeng" Mariano and the DA-BSWM signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Solar Pump Irrigation System project, wherein DAR provided funds for the project in the amount of fifteen million pesos and DA through the BSWM to undertake planning of development of small scale irrigation projects intended to enhance farm productivity and as adaptation measures to Climate Change that will benefit agrarian reform beneficiaries to achieve climate change resiliency.

     There are three identified pilot sites to be managed by agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Cagayan: (1) San Esteban Farmers Cooperative in the Eastern Alcala Agrarian Reform Community (Eastern Alcala ARC) in the municipality of Alcala; (2) Lasvinag Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Lasvinag Agrarian Reform Community (Lasvinag ARC) in the municipality of Gattaran; and (3) Nabbotuan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Furaban Agrarian Reform Community (Furaban ARC) in the municipality of Solana.  

     The identified project areas earlier passed the criteria set to sustain the projects as these areas are planted with vegetable crops and have existing deep well water facilities for farms indicating the potential availability of ground water sources. The ARBOs are likewise established and technically capable of sustaining the project.

     The DAR-DA-BSWM Solar Pump Irrigation System project is being implemented pursuant to Republic Act 9729, known as the Climate Change Act wherein it mandates government to take effective actions to mitigate the effects climate change. It calls for collective action among government agencies to pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, to implement programs and projects to lead communities toward resiliency amidst the risks and vulnerabilities brought about by climate change.

     Under the Solar Pump Irrigation System project, the pilot ARBOs shall be provided with solar panels and control accessories that will generate solar energy. Submersible water pumps shall also be provided to draw water from underground or open source. A water tank to store the water shall also be constructed that will include pipe layout system to distribute water for its intended use. The projects are expected to be operational by end of July 2017. There are also other project sites in Isabela and in Region 1. 

Solar panels for ARBOs. 

     Solar energy is a growing technology and a viable source of renewable energy for operating irrigation systems in the countryside. It is cheaper than conventional fossil-based generated power system. It is sustainable and does not contribute to carbon emission which is the main source of global warming.