Rice farmers in the island village of Opong in the Surigao del Norte town of Taganaan received vital irrigation facility support from the government to help them increase their yields.

In an interview on Monday, Noel Escabal, president of the local irrigators association, said the government intervention, through the National Irrigation Administration in the Caraga Region (NIA-13), is proof of the continuing care for the rice farmers especially those in far-flung areas.

Barangay Opong is a small island about 30 minutes by boat from Taganaan in mainland Mindanao. Based on the 2020 census, Opong has a total population of 966 OR 5.58 percent of the total population of the town

“This PHP20 million solar-powered irrigation project will provide more water to the farms of our members. At present, we have 98 members here in Opong cultivating around 28 hectares of rice farms,” Escabal said in the vernacular.

The newly completed irrigation project, turned over by NIA-13 to the farmers on Oct. 7, consists of four sets of solar-powered pumps and canal structures that connect to the different rice farms in the village.

“We are thankful to the government for this project. This also means improving the lives of the rice farmers in the island barangay of Opong,” Escabal said.

With the irrigation system, he said they expect an increase in their yields especially during the first cropping season next year.

“This project will also ensure enough water supply to our farms especially since we are experiencing El Niño,” he said. (PNA)