The Philippines is seeking a $100-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expand solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide, providing small farmers with year-round access to water while improving farm productivity and resilience to drought.

The latest ADB documents showed that the proposed Solar Powered Irrigation Project will finance climate-resilient and efficient irrigation systems as well as strengthen farming institutions and production systems across the country.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will serve as the executing agency for the proposed loan, which will be financed from the Manila-based multilateral lender’s ordinary capital resources.

The project is currently in the ADB’s indicative lending pipeline, with approval estimated in 2028. A fact-finding mission is scheduled from June 21 to July 2, 2027.

According to the ADB, reliable, inclusive, and climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure as well as services are essential to improving agricultural productivity and profitability, particularly in areas where water is scarce.

“Expanding farmers’ access to dependable irrigation is critical for increasing production and enabling crop diversification, particularly in water-scarce areas,” the ADB said.

Under the proposed project, solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) will provide smallholder farmers with long-term and sustainable access to irrigation water throughout the year.

The project will also strengthen the capacity of farmer cooperative associations (FCAs) in agricultural production, post-harvest activities, and the sustainable management of infrastructure.

Investments in post-harvest facilities and mechanical equipment are likewise planned to improve the sustainability, productivity, as well as profitability of farms.

In selected areas, the project will introduce low-carbon and sustainable rice farming practices.

The ADB expects the project to improve drought resilience and the productivity of farming systems in targeted areas, while contributing to better food security, higher farm incomes, rural growth, as well as livelihood opportunities.

The proposed financing supports the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which serves as the Marcos Jr. administration’s medium-term socioeconomic blueprint, and the National Irrigation Master Plan 2020-2030, which identifies the development of solar-powered irrigation systems as among the priorities for climate-resilient irrigation.

The ADB said the project supports these priorities by expanding access to irrigation water, strengthening farmers’ capacity to adopt improved agricultural practices, and modernizing agricultural value chains.