FARMER-MEMBERS of the Land Tiller Inhabitants of Musuan (LIMUS) and adjoining areas will soon benefit from the establishment of the P1.21 million CMU-LIMUS Solar-Powered Fertigation System (SPFS), which will rise at barangay Dologon, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.
This, after a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was inked between the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office (DA)-10 helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Central Mindanao University headed by its president, Dr. Jesus Antonio H. Derije, December 21, at the agency compound.
In pursuit of the department’s continuing effort to modernize the agriculture sector, said facility aims to redefine production efficiency using an irrigation system fueled by solar energy with the integration of low-pressure fertigator tanks, providing water and nutrient requirements to the targeted eight-hectare service area.
Collado said the SPFS is set to increase productivity, and at the same time, intensify municipal rice production, in a bid towards achieving the department’s thrust of being a rice-sufficient region and country.
He noted that said intervention also forms part of the agency’s support to Executive Order No. 70 to put an end to insurgencies, while recognizing the capped three-decade-long strife between the farmer’s group and CMU over land disputes.
Collectively known as BTL, LIMUS along with the Bukidnon Free Farmers Agricultural Laborer Organization (BUFFALO) and Tried Agricultural Movers Association of Rural Active Workers (TAMARAW), have been duly accredited as legitimate farmers back in 2020, and are officially enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture for easier access to government interventions.
Since then, BTL has been poured with assistance such as the provision of inbred rice seeds, equipment assistance, water supply, electrification, among others to develop the rice cultivation of the community.
“The main intention of the SPFS is to make sure that they [farmers] will have better harvest and yield.
This will also definitely help our rice farmers, belonging especially to the LIMUS group, who were then sympathizers of the left-leaning group,” Derije said, extending his appreciation for DA’s fund allocation under its Rice program to implement such a Project.
Overall, Collado remains hopeful that the designed system will not only boost crop production while significantly cutting farmers’ costs but more importantly, allow the town’s populace to remain in the government’s fold.
Also witnessing the MOA signing is DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Agricultural and Engineering Division Chief, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro along with section chiefs, Engr. Junel W. Ablanque and Engr. Romil G. Española, and other CMU staff. (DA-10/PIA-10)
