Marcos bares push for solar-powered irrigation amid El Niño

Stressing the urgency to prepare for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government is looking to install thousands of solar-powered irrigation units to help farmers boost their harvests.

The President highlighted Saturday the push for solar-powered irrigation in his speech at the ceremonial palay harvesting and distribution of various assistance to farmers and cooperatives at the Mandili National High School, Brgy. Mandili, Candaba, Pampanga.

The government has allotted P17 billion for the Philippine Solar Irrigation Project, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) after Marcos' speech.

Marcos said he has discussed the initiative with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. following their recent visit to Vietnam, which has had success in using solar technology in agriculture.

Vietnam is a top exporter of rice to the Philippines.

"Ngayong taon, palalawakin din natin ang patubig para sa mga sakahan sa pamamagitan ng ... Philippine Solar Irrigation Project na mga small-scale irrigation projects upang mapataas ang produksyon at kita ng ating mga magsasaka," Marcos said.

(This year, we will increase irrigation for our farmlands through the... Philippine Solar Irrigation Project and small-scale irrigation projects to increase the production and income of farmers.)

Each unit will be capable of servicing 20 hectares of farmlands by providing the power requirements of irrigation pumps.

"Libu-libo itong aming pinaplano na ilalagay at iniisip na nga namin kung papaano sa budget, kung saan kukunin," the President said.

(We will install thousands of these. We are discussing where we will source the budget for the project.)

Upon completion, Marcos said, the Philippine Solar Irrigation Project is targeted to add some 180,000 hectares of irrigable land and allow for third cropping.

In a press briefing last month, Laurel said solar-powered irrigation was among the measures identified to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Laurel had said that the Department of Agriculture would implement the intervention, along with the creation of more water-impounding areas and facilities, based on two Cabinet meetings with the President last December.

Facing El Niño

Thanking farmers in the audience for their hard work, Marcos said the Philippines registered a record-high rice production of over 20 metric tons in 2023.

However, the Chief Executive stressed the importance of recognizing the impact of El Niño phenomenon, and its effects for the months to come.

"Tinatayang aabot po ng hanggang Hunyo nitong taon at patuloy na magdudulot ng malaking banta sa sektor ng agrikultura sa nalalabing buwan ng 2024. Gayunpaman, hindi tayo natatakot. Sa halip, buong loob at lakas at sama-sama nating haharapin ang El Niño," Marcos said.

(El Niño's effects are expected to last until June this year, and will continue to be a major threat to the agriculture sector in the remaining months of 2024. Nonetheless, we should not be afraid. Instead, we shall be united in facing the El Niño.)

In Luzon and Visayas, thousands of hectares of farmlands in some provinces are cracking due to insufficient irrigation and intense heat due to the El Niño phenomenon.

Support for farmers

The President noted that the government has allotted P31 billion under the National Rice Program to strengthen programs such as agricultural production support, extension services, research and development, and irrigation network services.

He said funds will continue to be used from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, a large part of which will be for the distribution of machinery.

Funding has also been set aside to provide financial assistance to farmers, the President said, under the supervision of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Training on modern farming will also be provided to farmers through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Agricultural Training Institute, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).  

Other ongoing measures cited by the President to combat El Niño include the creation of climate-resilient seedlings, climate risk assessments for affected communities, development of agricultural infrastructure, and early warnings to farmers about potential damage to their crops. — VDV, GMA Integrated News