March 21, 2022- Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar led the inauguration of the Solar Powered Fertigation System (SPFS) project in Brgy.
Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga together with Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes and Regional Executive Director Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr. of Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3.
The Prado Siongco Rice and Corn Farmers Association is the chosen recipient of this project which is worth PhP1.093 million and was funded by Department of Agriculture under Rice Program. It is the first of its kind in Pampanga.
The SPFS is designed to increase the efficiency of existing irrigation systems by precisely delivering water and fertilizer inputs to crops. Powered by solar energy, it cuts down irrigation cost and reduces greenhouse gas emission. This project aims to improve agricultural productivity by increasing the irrigated area.
Secretary Dar congratulated the farmers of the association as they expressed their gratitute for being the beneficiaries of the project. He lauded them for trying out new technologies and for practicing farm diversification. He also urged the farmers to keep on supporting the government as it does its best amid the economic challenges the world is facing which affect the agriculture sector.
Regional Technical Director Eduardo Lapuz, Jr., Regional Technical Director Arthur Dayrit, Engr. Elmer F. Tubig of DA RFO 3 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division and Mayor Esmeralda Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga were also present during the said event.
