Five farmers’ associations in Aurora province are preparing to modernize their operations with solar-powered irrigation systems provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The move is designed to secure water access, cut costs, and promote sustainable farming across local communities.
RELATED: [DOST Celebrates Filipino Innovators Behind World-Class Solutions]
Cutting Costs and Securing Water Access
Among the beneficiaries are the Decoliat Multi-Agri Commodity Farmers Association, San Joaquin Farmers Association, Bianoan New Generations Farmers Association, Imulat Lowland Upland Farmers Association, and the provincial government of Aurora. Each solar-powered system, priced at P165,000, is expected to ease reliance on diesel and electricity, two of the biggest expenses in farming.
Regine Maines-Agumboy, science research specialist at DOST Aurora, emphasized that the portable systems can be shared by different farmers depending on need. She added that the initiative, under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program, aims to lower farming costs while ensuring a steady water supply.
“It will help reduce expenses since diesel or electric pumps will no longer be needed. Being mobile, the units can also be shared among members who require them,” Agumboy explained.
Technology Designed for Long-Term Use
The irrigation system can run for up to eight hours when there is sufficient sunlight, with a capacity of 50 cubic meters per hour, enough to water roughly half a hectare in that span. Before the units are officially turned over, farmer-beneficiaries will undergo training on operation and maintenance.
DOST will also carry out routine checks to ensure the systems remain functional and continue providing reliable irrigation. Farmers, meanwhile, will take responsibility for day-to-day use and safekeeping of the equipment.
Beyond irrigation, the CEST program provides other science-based interventions in nutrition, health, water management, disaster preparedness, and livelihood development—showing the government’s push to integrate innovation in rural communities.
Toward Future-Ready Agriculture
The introduction of renewable energy-driven solutions like solar irrigation signals a broader shift toward sustainable farming. For a country grappling with rising fuel prices and climate pressures, such innovations can reduce costs while making agriculture more resilient.
Nations that have embraced agricultural technology have already demonstrated how modern practices can improve food production and strengthen economic stability. For the Philippines, catching up is no longer optional but necessary.
By adopting solar-powered systems and other advanced tools, Filipino farmers can position themselves for a future where agriculture not only sustains local communities but also contributes more significantly to national growth.
