Baguio City sees solar irrigation towards smart agri bid

BAGUIO CITY (October 10, 2024)— The Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) is proposing a Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) Project in a bid to realize a smart agriculture in the city, thus benefitting Baguio farmers in the end.



According to the CVAO, it is seeking the maximization of the use of renewable energy to help city farmers and pursue sustainable urban agriculture practices in line with the city's thrust to shift to smart agriculture. The city's agricultural office is collaborating with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

CVAO Supervising Agriculturist Marcelina Tabelin said, irrigation has long been a problem for local farmers especially during the dry season. 

She stressed that during such season, water scarcity forces many to cease production. She hopes that the SPIS project can address the problem.

The SPIS project will be located in four sites— at Bilis in Sto. Tomas Central, Irisan, Benin in Pinsao Proper, and Ditep in Loakan Liwanag. 

The CVAO and the BSWM recently conducted a validation of the sites to assess their feasibility and ensure the success of the project.

“Major considerations in order to pass the feasibility assessment are a stable water source, its proximity to service areas (farms), and at least 3-hectare service area," Tabelin said.

She said that a land survey was also done to "document the targeted farm beneficiaries, ensuring accurate records for effective implementation of the project.