Pangasinan farmers receive irrigation projects

STA. BARBARA - Some 99 organized farmers association and other agriculture-fishery stakeholders in Pangasinan received irrigation  projects from the provincial government which would aid them in their farming production. 

Gov. Amado Espino III led the awarding of  110 units of  shallow tube wells with seven  horse power specification and three inches diameter diesel engine to the farmers groups from  34 agricultural towns in the province. One unit with 16 horsepower and pump was also given to the fisherfolks of Lingayen town.

The project, with a total cost of P73,175.37, aims to supply irrigation water to rain-fed and tail-end areas to increase production   and harvest. Some 650 farmers will benefit from the project which can help irrigate 434 hectares of rain-fed land.

Stressing that Pangasinan remains an agricultural province,  Gov. Espino said it is equally important for the present administration to exert more effort to the farming sector being one of the main sources of livelihood of Pangasinenses.

 But more than taking care of the  machines and crops,  Espino told the farmers to take care first and foremost, of their own health as  healthy  Pangasinenses will redound to a healthy community.

“Alagaan niyo rin ang sarili nyö, pangalagaan  ang  kalusugan  para mapangalagaan ang  kinabukasan ng pamilya,” Espino said during the ceremony held in Sta. Barbara town.

The governor also told them to be open-minded and not to discount the new techniques and methods in farming as these could also help boost production and income.

“Kapag kumikita ang magsasaka, masaya ang barangay, walang problema ang bayan,” Espino said.

Dalisay Moya, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist,  said the giving of shallow tube wells to the farmers’ groups is timely and relevant especially since summer or dry season is fast approaching.

Moya said  the provincial government is contemplating on launching more irrigation projects like renovation of irrigation systems, purchase of additional machineries, introduction of new farming technologies and revival of the Farmer’s Festival,  to assist the marginalized farmers and fisherfolks throughout the province. (VHS/PIA-Pangasinan)