P10-M solar-powered irrigation system operational by July

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to make the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Northern Mindanao operational in July, an official said.

Engineer Roxana Hojas, DA 10 (Northern Mindanao) assistant regional director for operations, said Friday that at least six units of the irrigation system will be used in select farms in Bukidnon province, under the supervision of the Central Mindanao University (CMU).

"The funds were downloaded to CMU (as) this is a partnership with DA and the university in order to showcase it (to the visitors) and also show the best rice varieties being cultivated there," Hojas said. The six units cost about PHP10 million.

The first SPIS was first launched in Matalam in North Cotabato, the home province of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

In a Facebook post early this month, Piñol said the SPIS was adopted by the DA as one of its flagship projects to ensure rice supply sufficiency in the next 20 years.

"In fact, the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice, which could make the country a net exporter in five years," he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)