LUMBAN, Laguna – More than a thousand farmers, extension workers and DA personnel gathered for the Biyaheng Bukid coinciding the launching and turn-over ceremony of the Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) at Barangay Wawa Ibayo yesterday.

Biyaheng Bukid is a face to face dialogue with the Secretary where he presents the DA programs and projects as well as directly answer queries from the farmers. During the dialogue, the Agri chief emphasized the importance of investing in agriculture and solicited support from the agriculture and fishery stakeholders. “As your Secretary, I promise I will not abandon the Filipino farmers” he uttered.

Another highlight of the activity is the turn-over of the SPIS to BAFC of Brgy, Wawa Ibayo. DA RFO IV-A Regional Executive Director Arnel de Mesa affirmed that the project is the first in the region. It will cover service irrigation for 25 hectares and an expansion of another 25 hectares of rice area. The facility has 112 solar panels and will operate for 6 to 8 hours and will tap the Lumban River. Farmers in the area can have three cropping seasons per year with 6MT per hectare yield. Sec Piñol also committed that he will prioritize all the rice-producing municipalities around Laguna de Bay for the coming SPIS projects in 2020.

During the opening program, Lumban Mayor Rolando Ubatay welcomed the guests and participants, while Hon. Benjamin Agarao, Congressman, 4th District and PA Marlon Tobias delivered their messages. ATI RTC IV-A Center Director, Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico attended the event together with the other heads and representatives from DA attached agencies.

IEC materials were also distributed to the farmers thru the FITS Center in Lumban, Laguna.