LINGAYEN– The members of the Small Water Impounding System Association (SWISA) of Pangasinan has called on the provincial government to help them start mechanized farming and expand the irrigation system in the province.

SWISA-Pangasinan president, Samuel Sardeña, identified the two issued confronting his group during their oath taking and first general assembly last November 26, 2014 at the Provincial Training & Development Center, Capitol Compound.

“We don’t have the funds yet to purchase a harvester and tractor so we hope the government will help us,” he said in Pilipino.

SWISA was organized under the auspices of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. three years ago, in order that the provincial government can effectively introduce programs to assist them.

The small water impounding systems are found in communal areas outside the service area of the National Irrigation Administration.

The system collects water from source as spring and directs it to farm production areas.
Espino noted that small water impounding systems are very useful for corn production as second crop.

Pangasinan has been awarded twice the National Corn Achievers Award for its outstanding corn production, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Dalisay Moya, provincial agriculturist, said the provincial government is helping SWISA members in watershed development through the provision of seedlings and even tilapia fingerlings.

SWISA of Pangasinan is made up 51 irrigators association in the province.

Meanwhile, the governor reiterated his call to the national government to allocate funds for phase 2 of the San Roque Dam irrigation system project.

He said, 20,000 hectares more of farmland will be irrigated by the project. Presently, the average rice produce in the province is at 100 cavans per hectare.- (Johanne Macob/ PIO)

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments