The City Government of Davao, through the City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO), recently completed the second Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District.
The second SPIS is part of the CAgrO’s initiative to boost the city’s agricultural production. It was funded by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
CAgrO Officer-in-Charge Antonio Obsioma, in an interview with Madayaw Program over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday, said that Paquibato District now has two SPIS.
The first SPIS is located in Barangay Pañalum.
He said the SPIS will provide farmers with a relatively flexible and climate-friendly irrigation, particularly in places where reliable access to electricity is lacking.
“Ang main purpose talaga natin dito is maghatag og affordable nga source sa irrigation sa mga high valued crops like vegetables, cacao, ug uban pa (Our primary goal is to supply high-value crops like vegetables, cocoa, and others with an inexpensive irrigation source),” he said.
He said that by offering a dependable and consistent supply of water for irrigation, the SPIS will be able to handle any potential El Niño-related issues.
He also said farmers from the Patag Farmers Association in Malabog are the main beneficiaries of the solar-powered pump.
“Pwede rin yung mga karatig na farmers na gustong mag-avail sa irrigation, pwede rin pero yung association na ito sila yung in-charge (The farmers in the neighboring areas can also avail of the irrigation but the association is the one in charge),” he said.
The said solar-powered pump will be fully operational in the second week of March. CIO
