MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing the irrigation of 1.8 million hectares of farmlands next year to complete the government’s rice sufficiency program.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala tasked the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to develop and irrigate more farmlands by the end of 2013.
As of this year, the NIA has irrigated some 1.5 million hectares of farmlands nationwide.
Alcala cited NIA chief Antonio Nangel for successfully starting the Upper Pampanga River Irrigation System which has benefited hundreds of farmers in the province.
The NIA has also introduced mini-hydro power plants in selected water dams and irrigation systems that are now helping produce electricity in some parts of the country.