URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan — Farmers in the Philippines' Ilocos Region are getting more reliable water for their crops as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) expands and maintains irrigation systems across the area, including solar-powered facilities, in an effort to sustain agricultural production and livelihoods.

NIA is the government agency responsible for developing and managing irrigation infrastructure nationwide, operating through regional offices. Its Region I office oversees projects in the four provinces that make up the Ilocos Region: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. Reliable irrigation underpins staple crops such as rice, allowing fields to be watered on schedule rather than left to rainfall.

In Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, the Ambayaoan River Irrigation System serves 307 hectares of farmland and benefits 325 farmers. Its continued maintenance aims to ensure a steady water supply for crops and keep farms productive.

In nearby Mangatarem, the Pacalat Communal Irrigation System brings together seven barangays — the smallest administrative units in the Philippines — through the Mangatarem Irrigators Association Inc., whose collective efforts help maintain irrigation facilities and support farmers' livelihoods. Associations of this kind are the standard vehicle for running communal systems in the country, with member farmers sharing the upkeep of canals and the scheduling of water delivery.

In Ilocos Norte, the Sulvec Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Pasuquin serves about 700 hectares and benefits 1,045 farmers. Meanwhile, communal and solar-powered irrigation projects in Ilocos Sur are helping extend water access to farming communities, with solar technology offering an alternative energy source for water delivery. Solar-powered pumping draws on the country's abundant sunlight and reduces reliance on grid electricity or fuel for lifting water.

“These are vital in ensuring dependable irrigation services for our farmers,” said NIA-Region I Manager Geffrey B. Catulin, stressing the need to maintain existing facilities while developing new infrastructure.

The agency is pursuing irrigation development and rehabilitation across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan to address farmers' water needs and improve water-resource management. Timelines, budgets and additional project sites for the regional program were not detailed in the report.

Beyond bringing water to fields, the projects aim to help farmers secure better harvests, strengthen household incomes, and sustain the region's food supply amid changing weather conditions. A dependable water supply can also extend the cropping calendar, letting farmers plant during the dry months rather than depending on the wet season alone.

Mr. Catulin said NIA-Region I would continue investing in irrigation development and maintenance to advance agricultural productivity, sustainable farming and food security.

— Artemio A. Dumlao, BusinessWorld

Source: BusinessWorld