CAR IRRIGATORS UNDERGO SCIENCE-BASED FARM TRAINING

February 8, 2025 Metro BLISTT

NIA reaffirms transparency, accountability

BAGUIO CITY

Several irrigator-farmers from different Irrigators’ Associations (IA) in Kalinga and Ifugao recently underwent
agroecosystem analysis (AESA) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) trainings, respectively, according to National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR). First, members of the SOSUKAGUMA Farmers Irrigators Association (IA) was trained AESA in Barangay Bulo in Tabuk City, Agroecosystem analysis is a scientific method that evaluates the structure, and scale of food systems.

This science-based farm method helps farmers make better decisions; helps identify ways to improve the sustainability/viability of a farming system; and helps identify ways to improve the productivity, stability and
equitability of an agrosystem. The agro-ecosystem analysis culminates the Palay Check #5 as part of the 100
hectares Rice Techno-Demo, convergence program of NIA with agriculture department and IAs.

Other development, the NIA-CAR also reported that a total of 170 irrigator-farmers from different Irrigators’
Associations in the Province of Ifugao underwent training on Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water savings
technology that reduces water usage while maintaining yields, last week. The AWD is a water management strategy, practiced to cultivate irrigated rice with much less water than the usual system of maintaining continuous standing water in the crop field.

Meanwhile, based on NIA official statement, “the agency reaffirms its commitment transparency and accountability following the 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) Report on delayed irrigation projects. “All 161 projects mentioned in the report have been completed,” the NIA release states. ‘To further strengthened project implementation and
prevent similar concerns in the future, NIA will enhance its project management and procurement processes,
reinforce contractor vetting, and impose stricter sanctions on erring contractors.” “ Additionally, collaboration withy relevant government agencies and stakeholders will be intensified to uphold the timely and high-quality delivery of irrigation projects nationwide.”

Primo Agatep/ABN