PANGASINAN---Around 10,000 farmers from three provinces of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac have started to benefit from the Lower Agno River Irrigation System Improvement Project (LARISIP) and expecting to benefit more once the project is completed.
The construction of the LARISIP, which started in 2018, is now on its the third and final phase of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project-Irrigation Component (SRMP-IC) with ARIIP (Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project) and ARISEP (Agno River Irrigation System Extension Project) as the first and second phase, respectively.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) regional manager ,Engr. Angelito Miguel, said, the LARISIP can irrigate 12,650 hectares that can help more than 10, 000 farmers.
The P3.5-billion project can irrigate land areas in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, intends to provide a new water source for the system.
Engr. Miguel, said that also improved agricultural productivity and increase crop yield, addressing food security.
Project be completed by 2022 and has already stimulated economic activity and through employment generation.
Likewise Miguel said despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the NIA repair and clearing of irrigation facilities are being fast tracked to give all-out support to the farmers whose produce are considered essential during this critical period.