The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Palawan Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) has recently installed its first solar powered pump project in Bgy. Isumbo, Sofronio Española.
The Isumbo Pump Irrigation Project (PIP) has been installed with 3728.5 watt or 5 horsepower (hp) submersible pump motor that has a capability of producing 100 gallons of water per minute (gpm). NIA-PIMO says that it is sufficient to irrigate 10 hectares of farm land even on dry season.
The implementation of Isumbo PIP, NIA’s first ever solar powered pump project in the Province of Palawan, has started last May 29 and will be completed after 120 calendar days or in September this year.
With P3,557,289.76 budget awarded to Reinastar Trading & Construction Supply, the said project covers the installation of solar powered pump, pump house, control panel and accessories and the 0.399 km of canal lining.
“Farming without irrigation becomes tough for the farmers during dry spell in Sitio Calabano. The excess water coming from water well was maximized using expensive fueled water pump just to continue farming practices. The Isumbo PIP will give free irrigation for 13 farmer beneficiaries for aquaculture operation and rice farming in said remote area,” President Jeanie G. Denzon of Calambiringan Irrigators Association (IA) said.
NIA-PIMO added that farmers may diversify their agricultural production upon the completion of the solar powered pump project as it is designed to be energy efficient and has the ability to pump up water from the source into an elevated storage tank and releases by gravity directly to irrigated areas.
Meanwhile, Palawan IMO Division Manager Conrado V. Cardenas, Jr. stated that in times of COVID-19 pandemic, remote areas are also being prioritized for irrigation projects and Isumbo PIP is an example.