A solar-powered irrigation system worth P5.68 million was recently completed in Barangay Panlagangan, located in Sibalom, Antique.

Local officials believe the new system will help increase yields for rice farmers.

“We have a total rice area of 6,675.39 hectares in which 3,637.58 hectares are irrigated, 2,550.55 hectares rainfed, and 487.26 hectares are upland,” explained Municipal Agriculturist Albert Estoya, noting, rainfed and upland areas are of primary concern.

“We have trained operators who will control the delivery schedule of water to every farmer,” he added. “We [intend] to irrigate two to three hectares daily.”

The system is equipped with 100 solar panels that can generate up to 27 kilowatts of electricity, which is sufficient for irrigating up to three hectares a day.

In addition, there are already plans to expand solar projects in the province.

“Our engineering team has ongoing site validation for possible solar irrigation projects in Tobias Fornier and Patnongon,” said Department of Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer for Antique Dominador Marquez./WDJ