Southern Mindanao irrigation system serves 30,000 farmers – DA
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (27 October) -- The communal irrigation system in Southern Mindanao covering about 40,110 hectares has benefited some 30,000 farmers.
Agriculture XI director Roger Chio said the expansion of agricultural areas planted to hybrid rice is the key to secure the food security of the country, which is estimated to consume as much as 15.5 million metric tons of rice.
Director Chio urged irrigators in Southern Mindanao to support the President’s agriculture program specifically PGMA’s Palayan ng Bayan and Food Security and shift from inbred to hybrid cultivars.
The united effort of farmers in establishing communal irrigation system was made known from the experience of Badagoy Communal Irrigation system in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur which was named National Outstanding Irrigators Association for three consecutive years and was included in the 2003 Hall of Fame of the National Irrigation Administration.
The government has provided farmers’ loan assistance to respond to their agricultural needs. The Badagoy Communal Irrigation for instance have voluntarily and promptly deliver payments which spared them from hiring the services of a collector.
Another outstanding association is the New Sibunga Irrigation in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. New Sibunga used to be barren and abandoned land which has been transformed into one of the most productive farm in Mindanao. (PIA-XI) [top]
