Sign in Subscribe
Agriculture

Solar-Powered Irrigation System Transforms Taraka River Watershed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In the heart of Taraka town, surrounded by the majestic Taraka River, a transformation has begun. For years, the lack of irrigation water restricted the town's farmers to planting palay only once a year, significantly limiting their earning capacity. However, in August 2021, a solar-powered pump brought water from the river, changing the lives of farmers like Damasira Manguda, who witnessed his palay harvest rise from 10 to 15 cavans per hectare. The journey to this progress started in 2019 when Mayor Nashiba Sumagayan introduced the solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) through the Mindanao Development Authority's water supply program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Taraka town, Lanao del Sur, was introduced in 2019 through the Mindanao Development Authority's water supply program.
  • The system, which includes six solar-powered pumps, has targeted 1,200 hectares of farmland to be irrigated, benefiting farmers like Damasira Manguda.
  • The SPIS has improved palay harvests, increasing productivity from 10 to 15 cavans per hectare, enhancing earning capacity for farmers.
  • The local government has encouraged farmers to give voluntary donations for maintenance, akin to zakat or community charity.
  • A P17-million rice processing system, equipped with mechanized dryer and miller, was provided by the Department of Agriculture to the local government, benefiting close to 1,000 farmers.
  • The solar-powered system has also enabled the development of a potable water system for distribution to households in the town.
  • The transformation is helping former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) transition to productive civilian life, with six former combatants enjoying the opportunity for rice farming.

Statistics:

  • The Taraka River is one of four major tributaries of the 31,000-hectare Lake Lanao, one of the world's 15 ancient lakes.
  • The solar-powered pump brings water from the river to 6-inch polyethylene pipes into fertile but underutilized fields.
  • The target area for irrigation is 1,200 hectares of farmland, spanning villages like Mangayao, Moriatao, and Luksa Datu.
  • Each system has a capacity of 27 horsepower generated by 175 solar panels, according to municipal engineer Saidamen Abas.
  • The P17-million rice processing system has a 6-ton capacity for the dryer and 1.5-ton input capable for the miller.
  • The system can process the produce of up to 1,300 hectares of palay farms at a given time, benefiting close to 1,000 farmers.

Sources:

  • [Source: "Taraka River Watershed Transformed by Solar-Powered Irrigation System" by (no author), The Philippine Star, (no date)]
  • [Source: "Solar-Powered Irrigation System Benefits Taraka Farmers" by (no author), Business Mirror, (no date)]
  • [Source: "Mindanao Development Authority's Water Supply Program" by Mindanao Development Authority, (no date)]
  • [Source: "Department of Agriculture Provides Rice Processing System" by Department of Agriculture, (no date)]

Read more