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Romualdez leads turnover of high-tech irrigation projects in Central Luzon

Philippines | National

Romualdez leads turnover of high-tech irrigation projects in Central Luzon

By Joseph Pedrajas

At A Glance

Over 20 solar-powered pump irrigation projects have been turned over to farmers in five provinces of Central Luzon in a single day.

Over 20 solar-powered pump irrigation projects have been turned over to farmers in five provinces of Central Luzon in a single day.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday, May 15, led the turnover of the Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan solar-powered pump--which was one of these projects--to farmer-irrigators in the regioin dubbed as the "rice granary of the Philippines".

The project turned over by Romualdez would provide irrigation for 15 hectares of previously rain-dependent farms owned by members of the Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan Irrigators’ Association.

Additional projects that were turned over included seven systems in Nueva Ecija, 10 in Zambales, and one each in Bulacan and Bataan.

Two irrigation augmentation projects in Tarlac were also inaugurated.

Each system features typhoon-rated photovoltaic panels and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven moisture sensors from Israel’s LR Group. These features significantly reduce costs and increase crop yields, according to Romualdez' media team.

“This is the future of agriculture, assisted by AI to enhance productivity,” Romualdez said. Early adopters, he noted, report yield gains above 25 percent.

For his part, Administrator Guillen commended Congress for its sustained funding for the projects. He noted that solar irrigations lower their cost from P200,000 to P300,000 per hectare compared to traditional methods.

Gilberto "Apong Bert" Guina, 75, shared that he previously spent ₱30,000 on diesel each cropping, money now redirected to family needs and farm improvements.

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