Jica launches irrigation systems rehab project

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) recently launched a project to rehabilitate national irrigation systems across the country, for which it is working with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and has earmarked 6.2 billion yen or P187 million.

The initiative, dubbed National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (Nisrip), covers 11 national irrigation systems that serve a total of 35,670 hectares of farm land.

“Through this project, Jica envisions to contribute to the Philippines’ food security and improve the living standards of more than 20,000 Filipino farmers,” Jica senior representative Sachiko Takeda said in a statement.

The project will help spur job creation by raising agriculture productivity and boost the country’s agri-based businesses, Takeda added.

Facilities that the Nisrip covers include the Malatgao river irrigation system in Palawan, which was damaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Other facilities covered are those in Madongan and Solsona in Ilocos Norte, San Fabian in Pangasinan, Porac-Gumain in Pampanga, Dumacaa in Quezon, Sta. Barbara in Iloilo, Muleta  in Bukidnon, Mal in Davao del Sur, Lambayong in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and Simulao in Agusan del Sur.

The Nisrip announcement follows the launch earlier this year of Jica’s technical cooperation project with NIA, which focuses on improving operations and maintenance of the country’s national irrigation systems.

In October, the Department of Agriculture said the United Nations agency International Fund for Agricultural Development had provided additional funding of about P190 million for the rehabilitation of national irrigation systems in Mindanao, particularly in areas hit by typhoons in 2012.

The amount replenishes the P900-million funding for the infrastructure component of the Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project, which enabled the Department of Agriculture to complete the restoration of 109 communal irrigation systems or CIS.

According to the DA, the top-up fund is being used to fix two national river irrigation systems in Bukidnon that were devastated by Typhoon “Sendong” last year and to help strengthen the irrigators associations that use these systems.