QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Batangas, together with the inspectorate team from the DAR central and regional offices conducted the final inspection of the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) worth P1 million in Brgy. Escribano, San Juan, Batangas to help the farmer-beneficiaries increase their income and uplift their lives.
Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) Assistant Director Acmad N. Calaca said the SPIS will soon be turned over to Bagong Silang San Juan Irrigators Association (BSSJIA) that would benefit 73 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and other neighboring farmers in Brgy. Escribano, San Juan, Batangas.
He emphasized that the installation of the SPIS will promote the development and adoption of modern, appropriate, cost-effective, and environmentally safe agricultural machinery and equipment that can enhance farm productivity and efficiency.
“With the help of the SPIS, the production cost of the farmers will be reduced because they will no longer buy gasoline for their generator sets, instead, they will use sunlight for the operation of their machinery. If there is sufficient heat from the sun, it will generate more water. Thus, achieving advanced food security and increase the ARBO’s income” Calaca added.
“During the summer season, you cannot see green plants in our area. Now, with the help of DAR's SPIS, sufficient water would be equivalent to abundant harvests. More harvests and income for the ARBs would mean that we could contribute in securing the food supply in the province. Thank you so much for your unceasing help and support,” BSSJIA President Lorenzo Catacutan disclosed that.
The SPIS is being implemented under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) which is designed to help agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in the remote areas to irrigate their farmland to increase their production even during the dry months.
