More than five hectares of vegetable farmland in an Isabela town would now be able to enjoy solar-powered water supply with the completion of a P1-million irrigation system, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Thursday, April 8.
Jointly constructed by the DAR and local government unit (LGU) of Reina Mercedes, the solar-powered irrigation system is now operational.
Located in Banquero, Reina Mercedes, the system is expected to benefit 39 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Reina Mercedes Riverside Farmers Association (RMRFA).
“This project will provide enough water supply to more than five-hectare vegetable farmland managed by RMRFA,” DAR-Cagayan Valley Regional Director Samuel Solomero said.
“Sufficient water is equivalent to an abundant harvest. More harvest and income for our ARBs would mean that they could contribute to securing food supply in the province,” Solomero explained.
According to the regional director, the department shouldered P850,000 from the project cost, while the remaining P150,000 was provided by Reina Mercedes LGU.
The town primarily shouldered the cost of drilling and land preparation.