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NTA starts solar-powered irrigation project
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| TRAINING WORKSHOP. FTSD conducted a training workshop on design and cost estimates of SPIS, on April 2 to 3, at the NTA Central Office in Quezon City for branch and department managers, division chiefs, chief agriculturists, and extension workers who are expected to be involved or detailed in the implementation of the SPIS project in their respective areas. The workshop was aimed at providing participants a good background on the technology of SPIS and enabling them to design a system that will meet the intended water requirement through cost effective means by carefully selecting different system components of SPIS. Resource speakers were Engr. Alberto E. De Guzman and Engr. Darwin M. Nevares, Senior Agriculturist and Engineer II, respectively, of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture. The experts discussed on the assessment of water source, determination of system layout and design flow of pump, computation of total dynamic head, pump selection and power estimation, preparation of cost estimates, and operation and maintenance of SPIS. N.E. Valdez |
NTA is set to start the solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) assistance project this year, a move seen to increase the volume of production and improve quality of tobacco, and reduce the cost of irrigation/pumping.
Imelda N. Riñen, manager of Farm Technology and Services Department (FTSD), said the proposed SPIS project will consist of a solar water pumping system suitable for irrigating large areas of tobacco farms.
SPIS, a component of the Integrated Demo/Model Farm and Extension Training Laboratory project, has an estimated budget of P7.5 million.
The pilot project for SPIS is set for operation this 2018 in selected areas in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, and Isabela.
According to Administrator Robert L. Seares, the agency continues to develop and promote farmer-friendly, and ecologically sound and sustainable technologies to increase farm yield, enhance quality, reduce cost, maximize profit, and lighten work, following the approval early this year by the Governing Board of projects to be funded by the Tobacco Fund under Republic Act 4155.
The projects also include tobacco Farm Access Roads to Markets (TOFARM), the Farm Machineries/Implements Projects, and Tobacco Farmers' Production Assistance.
"With the solar-powered irrigation system, the fuel cost is removed from the equation and water could be accessed anytime during the dry months due to abundance of sunlight that power the solar panels," said Seares.
SPIS, a pet initiative of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, draws inspiration from solar-powered systems used by the agricultural sector, providing clean energy for irrigation and crop preservation, in other countries.
"Using solar-powered irrigation also helps offset the use of harmful fossil fuels and thelps slow down global warming. This is more economical, and more beneficial especially for the remote areas," Seares said.
The solar-powered irrigation systems only require regular maintenance with the panels cleaned at least once a week.
NTA is in close coordination with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture in the planning and development of the SPIS, according to Riñen.
This is in accordance with DA Memorandum Order No. 13 series of 2017 which covers the implementation of SPIS.
SPIS Package
The NTA's package of a solar-powered irrigation system will be composed of solar power modules (six-piece solar panel), submersible pump (centrifugal stainless pump), control unit and level controller, cabling and accessories, artesian well, and battery pack. "On a simpler note, a solar-powered pump is like a traditional electric pump with the only exception that it uses solar energy instead of fossil fuel or electricity," said Riñen.
When installed, it has the capacity to pump an average volume of 20-100 cubic meters in the span of 8 to 9 hours, enough to meet the water needs of a 2-5 hectare land during a single irrigation cycle.
One SPIS package for one cluster area (5 to 10 hectares) will cost P615,000, while for a smaller farm cluster area (less than five hectares) will cost P315,000.
The project proposes to implement one integrated demo/model farm (5-10 hectare farm cluster) for each of the eight branch offices. Abra and Ilocos Sur offices may include less than five-hectare farm cluster for a smaller SPIS model. These demo/model farms will serve as a show window for tobacco farmers with the objective of improving their income.
According to Riñen, the sites to be selected must be identified areas that produce quality tobacco with sufficient water source; no history of salty tobacco; no danger of salt water intrusion; and no history of critical pest and disease occurrence.
The solar-powered systems utilize open water sources like lakes, rivers, streams, and even creeks. Man-made small water impounding systems could also be used as water sources.
Riñen explained that farmers' organization to be selected for the project should be willing and capable to assume the overall management and maintenance of the SPIS, including the conduct of demonstration activity and farmers classes, and provision of right-of-way for the project.
"Before turning over the project to farmer cooperatives, farmers will undergo training on simple trouble shooting and operation," she added.
FTSD and technical team headed by Engr. Alex L. Borje, Chief TPRO of the Regulation Department, are now conducting area survey and selection of prospective sites, farmers' organizations, farm clusters and farmer leaders and registered tobacco farmers who are the beneficiaries or co-implementors of said project.
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