THE Marcos administration vigorously pushed for the implementation of the solar irrigation project to provide additional water supply for Filipino farmers.
The Philippine government is determined to strengthen the water irrigation system through the Philippine solar irrigation project and small-scale irrigation projects.
The president mentioned this in his speech during the ceremonial palay harvesting and distribution of various assistance in Brgy. Mandili, Candaba, Pampanga on Saturday, the 3rd of February.
To give farmers access to more water, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. shared the administration has expedited the installation of a solar irrigation project.
“This year, we will also expand water supply for farmlands through the Philippine solar-irrigation project, which consists of small-scale irrigation projects to increase the production and income of our farmers. This means that each unit will be able to irrigate twenty hectares,” according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
The Chief Executive then cited that the government has allotted P1-B under the national rice program.
This aims to intensify the government’s programs such as the production support, extension services, research and development, and irrigation network services.
He added that the government will also utilize the rice competitiveness enhancement fund to solidify the agriculture sector.
The government has also allotted funds to provide additional financial aid to farmers, which is led by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.
President Marcos mentioned that farmers will also be introduced to modern farming 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).
Moreover, the president assured that the government has already put up several programs to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and to support the affected farmers to ensure that their harvest will not be affected.
“Here is El Niño, which is currently causing extensive damage and distress to our crops and farmers. It is expected to persist until June of this year and continues to pose a significant threat to the agriculture sector in the remaining months of 2024,” Marcos added.
Present during the ceremonial harvesting of palay were Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. and Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa along with some local officials.
President Marcos led the distribution of various assistance such as hauling trucks, seeds, financial assistance, among others to over 12,000 farmers and ten farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Brgy. Mandili in the municipality of Candaba.
