More than 1,800 farmers in Camarines Sur are set to benefit from two solar-powered irrigation projects worth ₱332 million, part of the government’s push to reduce farm costs and improve food production.
President Bongbong Marcos highlighted the shift to solar irrigation systems in Minalabac and Bula, describing electricity as a major pressure point in agricultural production.
“Electricity is one of the heaviest burdens our farmers carry. When power costs rise, so does the cost of food,” he said.
The projects, implemented by the National Irrigation Administration, include the ₱126.7-million Solar Pump Irrigation Project of the San Agustin-San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers’ Cooperative in Bula and the ₱205.46-million New MASSBA Solar Pump Irrigation Project Phase I in Minalabac.
Both projects are designed to reduce farmers’ dependence on electricity by shifting irrigation systems to solar power. Prior to the transition, some cooperatives reported spending between ₱300,000 and ₱450,000 monthly on electricity to operate irrigation pumps.
“Farmers who once paid ₱300,000 to ₱400,000 a month for power are now paying little to zero,” the President added.
With lower operating costs, farmers are expected to retain more income while improving productivity. The solar-powered systems also provide a more stable and uninterrupted water supply, helping ensure consistent crop output.
Funded under the Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project Solar CY 2024, the two projects cover more than 1,800 hectares of farmland and serve 1,854 farmer-beneficiaries.
The NIA said the rollout of solar-powered irrigation systems forms part of broader efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen farmer livelihoods, and support long-term food security.
