NIA-CAR STRENGTHENS SOLAR PUMP IRRIGATION PROJECTS

March 2, 2024 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

To enhance food production, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Apayao Irrigation Management Office (IMO) has completed another Solar Pump Irrigation Project for the West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS). The irrigation project is located in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Pamplona, Cagayan, the solar pump project involved the establishment of a solar powered pump system with complete accessories and canal lining with a total length of 487.80 meters. The facility worth P47.4 million is funded under the Repair of NIS (National Irrigation System).

According to NIA-CAR , WAAIS is one of the four national irrigation systems (NIS) under the responsibility of NIACAR. It serves more than 4,000 hectares in Pudtol and Luna in Apayao, and in Abulug and Pamplona in Cagayan. Meanwhile, two completed pump irrigation projects in Kibungan,Benguet (Brgy. Madaymen were recently
turned over to the Masala Madaymen Irrigators’ Association (IA).

Both the Masala Communal Irrigation System (CIS) and Dalumpi-it Small Irrigation System (SIS) will benefit dozens of farmers planting high value crops-like strawberry, cabbage, potato, and carrots. The project were funded
under NIA-CAR’s Restoration of Existing Communal Irrigation System (CIS) and Small Irrigation Project (SIP) fund
sources, respectively. The Masala CIS has a service area of 15 hectares while the Dalumpi-it SIS has an area of 6 hectares. According to NIABenguet, the two project contract total cost amounting to more than P5 million. NIA-Benguet Provincial Head Godofredo Velaque, NIACAR Institutional Development Head Paulita Yagyagan led the turnover ceremony.