Former Governor of North Cotabato and veteran farmer who now served as the Secretary of Agriculture, Sec. Manny Piñol reported that water for rainfed rice farms through solar-powered system could be the hope of upland farmers in the Philippines.
According to Sec. Manny the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) which has been adopted by the Department of Agriculture is one of the flagship project of the Duterte administration that could ensure the country of sufficient rice supply for the next 20 years.
Watch the Inauguration of SPIS by Sec. Manny Piñol:
The Agriculture Secretary explained that the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice which could make the country as net expertor in the next five (5) years.
Sec. Piñol also noted that with over 2-million hectares of rice farms in the country unserved by irrigation facilities, the SPIS which could be installed in a period of 60 days could help farmers plant twice a year instead of just once. This means that if farmers in these areas could harvest twice a year at an average of 6-metric tons per hectare instead of just 4-metric tons now, the country could produce an additional 16-million metric tons of palay.
Here's the Complete Report of Sec. Manny Piñol:
Water for rainfed rice farms
SOLAR-POWERED SYSTEM
HOPE OF UPLAND FARMERS
By Manny Piñol
The Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) which has been adopted by the Department of Agriculture as one of its Flagship Projects could ensure the country of sufficient rice supply for the next 20 years.
In fact, the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice which could make the country a net exporter in 5 years.
With over 2-million hectares of rice farms in the country unserved by irrigation facilities, the SPIS which could be installed in a period of 60 days could help farmers plant twice a year instead of just once.
This means that if farmers in these areas could harvest twice a year at an average of 6-metric tons per hectare instead of just 4-metric tons now, the country could produce an additional 16-million metric tons of palay.
This would mean an additional milled rice production of at least 9-million metric tons per year which is 8-million more the country’s annual rice requirements.
Of course, these are all assumptions on possible increase in rice production.
The key consideration here is the willingness of our government to invest in the SPIS which actually costs less per hectare compared to the conventional irrigation system.
According to Sec. Manny the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) which has been adopted by the Department of Agriculture is one of the flagship project of the Duterte administration that could ensure the country of sufficient rice supply for the next 20 years.
Watch the Inauguration of SPIS by Sec. Manny Piñol:
The Agriculture Secretary explained that the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice which could make the country as net expertor in the next five (5) years.
Sec. Piñol also noted that with over 2-million hectares of rice farms in the country unserved by irrigation facilities, the SPIS which could be installed in a period of 60 days could help farmers plant twice a year instead of just once. This means that if farmers in these areas could harvest twice a year at an average of 6-metric tons per hectare instead of just 4-metric tons now, the country could produce an additional 16-million metric tons of palay.
Here's the Complete Report of Sec. Manny Piñol:
Water for rainfed rice farms
SOLAR-POWERED SYSTEM
HOPE OF UPLAND FARMERS
By Manny Piñol
The Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) which has been adopted by the Department of Agriculture as one of its Flagship Projects could ensure the country of sufficient rice supply for the next 20 years.
In fact, the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice which could make the country a net exporter in 5 years.
With over 2-million hectares of rice farms in the country unserved by irrigation facilities, the SPIS which could be installed in a period of 60 days could help farmers plant twice a year instead of just once.
This means that if farmers in these areas could harvest twice a year at an average of 6-metric tons per hectare instead of just 4-metric tons now, the country could produce an additional 16-million metric tons of palay.
This would mean an additional milled rice production of at least 9-million metric tons per year which is 8-million more the country’s annual rice requirements.
Of course, these are all assumptions on possible increase in rice production.
The key consideration here is the willingness of our government to invest in the SPIS which actually costs less per hectare compared to the conventional irrigation system.
My estimate is that the government must allocate at least P60-B every year for five years to achieve this.
The DA has shown that the SPIS works effectively and could be completed in just 60 days compared to the 10 to 20 years needed to built big irrigation dams.
The DA has shown the long-dreamed rice sufficiency is achievable and it has the road map.
The only thing that is needed now to realize it is the budget.
#Changeishere! #DuterteDelivers!
(Video taken by Mayette Tudlas)
Source: Manny Piñol FB Page
Manny Piñol: Water for Rainfed Rice Farms Through Solar-Powered System, Hope of Upland Farmers
Reviewed by Phil Newsome
on
May 22, 2018
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Reviewed by Phil Newsome
on
May 22, 2018
Rating:
