DAR, NIA bat for irrigation projects to boost veggie production in 3 Leyte towns

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 24, 2013

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte – The Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Irrigation Administration in Eastern Visayas are eyeing the implementation of irrigation projects in order to boost vegetable production in three Leyte towns.

DAR Region 8 Director Eliasem Castillo said the idea came as a result of the clamor of the farmers in Barangay Daja Diot in this town for the construction of an irrigation project in the area.

Director Castillo disclosed that funding for this project will come from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) thru the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP-2).

As NIA is preparing the design, ARCP Deputy Project Manager Herman Ongkiko called on the agency to beat the June 15 deadline for the project to be included in the June 30 National Sub-Project Approval Committee (NSAC) deliberation so it could be implemented the soonest possible time.

In answer, NIA Regional Manager Romeo Quiza promised to give priority to this project.

Director Castillo disclosed that at the moment the area is dependent only on rain resulting to a very low harvest.

He stressed that the project initially will accommodate the vegetable farms of the 90 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who currently fetch water from a distance.

According to Ms. Mathilde Vergara, agricultural enterprise development coordinator, the ARBs started their high-value crops production in 2010 in partnership with the East-West Seed Company which adds to their income.

An irrigation system will be constructed in the area especially because the vegetable production of the Daja Integrated Primary Agribusiness Marketing Cooperative (DIPAMCO) is a priority project of DAR under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), Director Castillo added.

He also disclosed that similar project is being proposed for the towns of Calubian and Villaba, also in the province of Leyte.