Through the government's contract farming program, farmers could efficiently produce rice, reducing its average production cost to less than P15 per kilogram (kg), and subsequently sell rice at P29/kg.

"In fact, on the last week of July, our farmers in Region 3 (Central Luzon), CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), Region 4B (MIMAROPA), UPRIIS (Upper Pampanga Integrated Irrigation System), and Region 13 (CARAGA), who planted hybrid rice varieties will start harvesting from an initial 40,000 hectares under our rice contract farming program," said Engineer Eduardo Guillen, Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). "And we expect an additional 50,000 tons of palay by August, from other regions." he added.

Cabaruan, Quirino, Isabela – Isabela's agricultural landscape received a technological boost today, June 10, 2024, with the unveiling of the Cabaruan Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) by the National Irrigation Administration's Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).

Fueled by a Php 65.7 million investment, this groundbreaking Agricultural Technology project brings a double dose of pride to the region! The Cabaruan SPIP stands as the largest solar irrigation initiative ever undertaken by NIA. It is a solar irrigation system constructed directly atop an existing canal. This innovative triumph effectively dismantles the previous challenge of acquiring land donations for SPIP construction.

Pioneering Solar Power for Enhanced Agricultural Output

The Cabaruan SPIP stands as a technological marvel, boasting an impressive array of 1,056 solar panels. Far surpassing the agency's previous endeavors, this solar giant generates a remarkable 739,200 kilowatts of power, fueling two submersible pumps. Each pump possesses the capability to discharge an astounding 12,800 gallons of water per minute, effectively irrigating a sprawling 350 hectares of land and benefiting 237 farmers in the process.

NIA's SPIPs Brighten Farmers' Futures in Region 2

NIA Central Office – After the onslaught of Typhoon Aghon in Luzon Island on May 25, 2024, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) immediately conducted assessment on crop and infrastructure damages. Reports from the Operations Department showed that damages to crops and infrastructures reach P202.02 million.

In CALABARZON, the typhoon caused an estimated damage to irrigation systems amounting to P200.3 million and affected 6,015 hectares of agricultural land in the region. To address the damages on irrigation canals, protection works, canal structures, and dams, NIA has outlined immediate repair plans categorized into Level I and Level II.  

Level I includes emergency works aimed at restoring service areas and saving standing crops, with an estimated cost pegged at P55.3 million. On the other hand, Level II involves comprehensive repairs to ensure the long-term stability of irrigation structures, with an estimated cost of P145 million. The Agency also recorded that 6,569 farmers across the region have been directly affected by the typhoon.

Noong ika-4 ng Hunyo, isinagawa ang isang panayam sa Programang Agribusiness na kasama si National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen upang talakayin ang mga paraan kung papaano nga ba pababain ang presyo ng bigas at itaas ang kita ng mga magsaskaka.

Bilang panimula ng panayam, tinalakay nila ang Contract Farming, na isang programa ng NIA.

INBRED AT HYBRID

Sa programang Contract Farming, mayroong dalawang uri ng seeds na binibigay ang NIA: Inbred at Hybrid. 

Sa Inbred, ang magiging regular na yield ay 5 metric tons kada ektarya o 3,150 kgs na bigas kung gagamitin  ang 63% milling recovery rate ng NFA. Ito ay magreresulta ng P9.50 o hindi lalampas ng P10 ang total production cost. 

Samantala sa Hybrid, ang magiging regular yield naman ay 8 metric tons kada ektarya o 5,040 kgs na bigas kung gagamitin ng 63% milling recovery rate ng NFA. Ito naman ay magreresulta sa P9.92 na total production cost.

WHOLE VALUE CHAIN

Kaugnay sa Contract Farming ng NIA, nais ni Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. na makuha ng ating mga magsasaka ang whole value chain. 

Ang buong value chain na ito ay katulad ng proseso ng pag-ani ng palay hanggang sa ito ay maging bigas. Sinasabayan ng NIA Administrator ang konsepto ng buong value chain mula sa pagsusuri ng lupa, pagpaplano ng pondo, paghahanda ng sakahan, insurance, marketing, at iba pa.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., along with NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Stage II (MMIP-II) on April 29, 2024 in Barangay Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato. President Marcos led the official opening of the Right Main Canal 2 Headgate of Laterals C and D that convey the water 36 kilometers away from Maridagao Dam to the said barangay.

“Sa awa ng Diyos, narito tayo ngayon para pasinayahan ang MMIP-II na tiyak na makatutulong sa ating mga kababayan dito. Pinili namin ang lugar na ito para sa inagurasyon upang ipakita na ang tubig mula sa Maridagao River kahit na malayo ay kaya nang ipaabot ang tubig pang-irigasyon sa ating mga magsasaka dito sa Pikit Cotabato”, said NIA Administrator Guillen during the event.

MMIP-II is a multi-year project covering the municipalities of Pikit and Aleosan in Cotabato, and Pagalungan and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao Del Sur, BARMM. The project is designed to irrigate 9,528 hectares of farmland, benefiting around 4,000 farmers, including former MILF combatants or the decommissioned combatants. The project aims not only to increase agricultural productivity and livelihoods but also to improve peace and order in the region. The irrigation project, a testament to visionary leadership and collaborative efforts, signifies a new era of progress and unity in the Philippines.

Amidst El Niño phenomenon, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) remains steadfast in providing sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers, especially in Mindanao.

Under the leadership of Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, NIA successfully implemented the P5.133-billion MMIP-II located in Barangay Villarica, Midsayap, North Cotabato. As of March 2024, the project recorded an overall weighted physical accomplishment (OWPA) of 99.56%. A series of test runs on the completed canal structures in the Lower Malitubog Service Area was conducted on March 18, 2024. It aims to test the readiness and operating condition of the structures before it will be turned over to its farmer-beneficiaries.

With water source from the Maridagao River, MMIP-II covers 9,528 hectares of agricultural land in the Municipality of Aleosan, North Cotabato, and the towns of Pangalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao del Sur under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The project has 4,043 farmer-beneficiaries.

Guided by the battlecry of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for unity to achieve lasting peace and national progress, Administrator Guillen advocates bayanihan and personally talked to the residents about the positive impacts of MMIP-II completion in their livelihood. He met with the IA presidents and members and highlighted the importance of IAs’ support and cooperation towards the realization of the project.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) takes immense pride in announcing the approval of its new Design-and-Build (DB) Procurement Guidelines for Irrigation Infrastructure Projects.

The approval of the NIA Board on this strategic instrument on March 21, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the agency’s commitment to fostering efficiency, transparency, and innovation of the organization to contribute to the BUILD BETTER MORE Program of the Marcos Jr. Administration.

Designed to streamline the infrastructure development and procurement processes while ensuring optimal quality and cost-effectiveness, these guidelines embody the NIA’s unwavering dedication to modernize irrigation systems across the nation. With these enhancements, the agency aims to address the evolving needs of the agricultural sector and propel sustainable development in rural communities, achieving a significant increase in the quality of life of Filipino farmers.

The approved of the DB Guidelines is anchored on the provisions of RA 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act specifically Annex G of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The DB Guidelines of NIA was also benchmarked with that of DPWH, ensuring that the NIA leverages on the successful experiences of DPWH in the past several years.

About the DB Procurement Approach:

On March 15, 2024, the Francis Domingo Nitura (FDN) Integrated Farm proudly hosted its Harvest Day World Breaking Rice Project 2024, a groundbreaking event that aimed to challenge the existing Asian record for crop harvesting that took place at the FDN Farm located in Ballesteros, Aurora, Isabela. 

Led by Baluarte's Irrigators Association (IA) President, Mr. Francisco Domingo Nitura himself, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) along with its Central Office and the NIA Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA MARIIS) were present to witness the event. FDN served as a service area under NIA MARIIS Division 3, further underscoring the significance of the occasion.

NIA Central Office – A total of 82 solar power-driven pump irrigation projects were completed nationwide by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) headed by Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen in 2023.

For CY 2023, there are 150 potential irrigation sites for solar power-driven amounting to Php 1,654,583,000. Of which, NIA already completed the construction of 82 solar power-driven pump irrigation projects amounting to Php 667,957,000 as of December 31, 2023. These projects provide reliable irrigation water supply to 866 hectares of agricultural land nationwide benefitting 1,061 farmers and their families.

As President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. stresses the urgency to institute measures for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, the NIA looks into harnessing the potential benefits of renewable energy sources in providing irrigation service to help address depleting water supply due to El Niño.

Through solar power-driven pump irrigation projects, the NIA sees that solar irrigation projects can augment the decreasing irrigation water supply from dams and reservoirs during this phenomenon. This innovative technology can also be used in areas where the construction of dams may not be feasible. In installing more solar power-driven pump irrigation projects, these can aid Filipino farmers to boost their harvests.