LLANERA, NUEVA ECIJA—The Caridad Norte and Sur Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) is set to be inaugurated on May at Brgy Caridad Norte, Llanera, Nueva Ecija.

It is the Department of Agriculture pilot project of solar-powered irrigation under the rice program.

The SPIS is an irrigation system powered by solar energy, instead of fossil fuel or electricity. It is consists of one or more solar panels (also known as solar modules or solar plates), a pump, electronic controls or a controller device to operate the pump, storage tank, and conveyance structures. 

The beneficiary of the project is the Caridad Norte and Sur Irrigators Association (CNSIA) with 125 Nueva Ecija rice farmers.

CNSIA Chairman Roger Bautista thanked the Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol through the Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon for awarding them the said project.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga kawani ng Department of Agriculture sa pangunguna ni Kalihim Manny Pinol. Madadagdagan na po an gaming mga sasakahin sa second cropping. Kung wala po ang patubig na ito ay mas lalong wala nang kikitain ang mga magsasaka. Malaking ginhawa po ang solar pump na ito dahil hindi na po kami gagamit ng diesel.” said Bautista

With a project cost of 7.2 million pesos, the technology could irrigate 50-65 hectares of rainfed rice area and can continuously operate for six hours daily.###

Ozanne Ono Allas
Information Officer II