DA7 turns over P5.9M solar-powered irrigation to farmers in Carmen, Bohol

Farmers in Katipunan, Carmen, Bohol have expected an increased rice production after they recently got their newly-installed Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) project from the Department of Agriculture 7 (DA7).

The P5.9M SPIS which is seen to address the water problem of the farmers' rice field in the said town was formally turned over on June 16, 2020 to the Katipunan Rice and Fish Farmers Association (KARFFA) of Katipunan, Carmen, Bohol represented by its president Ted Lomod.
DA7 Regional Executive Director Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, during the turnover ceremony explained that the newly-installed SPIS will increase the rice production in the area since it is now possible for rice farmers to have three croppings in a year, unlike before without SPIS that farmers only have two harvests.
"With SPIS, the farmers are no longer dependent on the rain," Diputado added.
The turnover was timely since the farmers have already started planting rice.
"This irrigation project is expected to benefit 15 hectares of riceland," Diputado shared.
The SPIS in Carmen is the second fully functional irrigation system in Bohol that is solar-powered.
Diputado said that this project is in accord to Agriculture Secretary William Dar's Food Resiliency program amid this pandemic.
Carmen Mayor Jun Toribio, KARRFA President Ted Lomod, Reinerio Makinano representing Bohol Governor Art Yap and municipal and barangay officials witnessed the ceremony. Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital chief Dr. Mutya Kismit Macuno also attended the event.
Diputado shared on his facebook account that so far, the DA thru Secretary William Dar has allotted more than P100 million worth of agricultural assistance to LGU-Carmen as part of the Rice Resiliency Program.