NIA proposes solar irrigation

system in remote farm areas

TAGBILARAN CITY Bohol (PIA)— Go for more solar irrigation systems.

This by far is the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) policy direction as Bohol faces the real threat of drying surface water sources.

This too as the state weather bureau announced the impending dry season which is forecast to even yet to start in a few weeks and last until the initial quarter of next year.

NIA Engineering and Construction Operations Systems chief Engr. Evaristo Borja shared this to Kapihan sa PIA, even as he said that during dry seasons when the rains do not come, surface water sources may dry out but the underground water sources still thrive.

While Bohol has major dams operated by the NIA under the Bohol Irrigation System like the Malinao Dam in Pilar, it also has Bayongan Dam in San Miguel and Capayas Dam in Ubay, Zamora Small Reservoir Irrigation System (SRIS) in Talibon, Benliw SRIS in Ubay, Ilijan SRIS in Tubigon, Tugas-Can-olin SRIS, Ilaya SRIS in Ubay, and Calunasan SRIS in Calape under the Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS).

In fact, it also operates Cayacay SRIS in Alicia-Mabini and is currently developing Bonot-Bobot SRIS and the Hibale SRI projects.

Estimated at about 30,300 hectares of Bohol farms irrigated by NIA’s BIS and BIIS, the province still has nearly 70,000 hectares from its 104,000 hectares, as potential areas for irrigation.

Most of surface water sources however have been explored or already used for irrigation.

So how does NIA cover the remaining areas to increase agricultural productivity and keep Bohol’s as the food basket for Central Visayas?

Here, comes to fill in the gap are solar irrigation systems, according to NIA.

Solar irrigation systems use solar energy, instead of expensive diesel to fuel generators which pumps or electricity to run water pumps for agriculture.

When these can be used to draw water from rivers, ponds or reservoirs for distribution to farms and irrigate or water crops, most solar irrigation systems are made as options for remote areas which need to draw water from underground water sources that are far from the power grids.

A set-up that includes solar panels, charging controller and inverters, water pumps some submersible, elevated storage tanks or drip irrigation lines and open canals, solar irrigation system may be expensive up front, considering the installation cost, but generally has minimal maintenance needed.

As to independent sources, solar irrigation systems which are useful in remote farms, have generally lower operating cost, runs on reduced emissions thus is considered cleaner energy sourced operational system. (PIAbohol)

EXPLORING MORE WATER SOURCES. NIA through its Engineering Construction and Operations Services chief Engr Evaristo Borja shared how NIA mulls on expanding solar irrigation systems from dug wells and underground sources as the more reliable irrigation water sources for off-grid farms. (PIA-Bohol)