ILOILO City – As climate change and unpredictable weather patterns challenge traditional farming in Western Visayas, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is turning to solar energy to support farmers in water-scarce regions.
Recently, NIA completed 50 solar pump irrigation projects, expanding water access to 918 hectares and aiding 661 farmer beneficiaries, according to Acting NIA regional manager Engineer Jonel Borres.
This initiative is part of a larger plan to boost the region’s resilience against prolonged dry seasons and limited rainfall, with 28 additional projects slated for completion by mid-2025, he stressed.
When completed, the total service area will widen to 1,423 hectares, benefitting 1,061 farmers in the region.
The solar irrigation systems, which draw water from rivers and underground sources, aim to provide year-round access to water for crops, particularly in remote areas beyond the reach of conventional gravity-fed irrigation.
By harnessing solar energy, the initiative not only reduces dependency on traditional fuel sources but also offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for farmers struggling with erratic water supplies.
Borres said these systems complement the existing 12 river-fed irrigation networks, which often run low during the summer, stressing that the P700 million allocated for solar pump irrigation marks a substantial investment in long-term agricultural stability.
The shift towards renewable energy in farming, he added, underscores NIA’s commitment to sustainable water management and improved food security in the region. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
