By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL
COTABATO CITY
Farmers in Butig, Lanao del Sur are expected to benefit from the P10-Million Solar Power Irrigation System (SPIS) — a partnership project of Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM).
Subsidized under Bangon Marawi Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation Project Fund of 2020, the SPIS will increase rice production at 40 hectares of rainfed rice areas in the villages of Cabasaran, Dulangan, and Sundig in Butig.
MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob led the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 12, together with Deputy Minister Ammal Solaiman, Deputy Chief Minister Aleem Ali Solaiman, TFBM Representative Johary Lumna, Provincial Director lawyer Khalid Ansano, and Engr. Abdulhaq Gayak.
Yacob said part of the mandate exercised by MAFAR is to bring the government closer to the Bangsamoro community.
“This government wants to deliver services and protect farmers and fisherfolks in the Bangsamoro region. With this project, farmers will be more inspired, and idler lands will be utilized,” Yacob said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Solaiman stressed that the irrigation system is the most important farming technique needed in the community of Butig.
“We can assist with farm inputs and other agriculture interventions like [provision of] machinery, but upon consultation, what they need the most is a water irrigation system,” Solaiman said.
“There are many land areas here that will reach 40 hectares that are just waiting to be utilized, because they can no longer tilt due to the absence of irrigation. If acted upon, it would be a great help for our countrymen in Lanao del Sur,” he added.
The Greenergy Corporation will maneuver the construction of the SPIS. It targets to complete the project within 120 days. JIJ
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