Proactive Irrigation Management Helps Protect Rice Harvest in Davao del Sur Despite Dry Spell
DAVAO CITY – Despite the recent dry conditions affecting several areas in the province, rice crops in irrigated farms across Davao del Sur remain stable and are still expected to reach harvest season, according to the National Irrigation Administration.
The National Irrigation Administration – Davao del Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO) said it has been actively implementing coordinated water management strategies to ensure that farmers continue to receive sufficient irrigation despite the ongoing dry spell.
IMO Manager Dexter Tinapay explained that the agency has been closely monitoring water supply and working with irrigators’ associations to maintain rice production in the province.
Earlier reports from the Department of Agriculture Region 11 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit showed that the dry conditions had already caused damage to around PHP90.5 million worth of crops across the region.
Assessments revealed that about 2,598 farmers were affected, with losses recorded in rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock. The damage covered around 2,842 hectares of farmland, resulting in an estimated 3,220 metric tons of lost production.
To minimize further damage, Tinapay said their office intensified several water management measures. These include rotational water distribution, daily monitoring of water discharge, and close coordination with local irrigators’ associations to ensure fair water allocation among farms.
Farmers were also encouraged to adopt alternate wetting and drying techniques, a water-saving method that helps maximize limited irrigation supply while still supporting healthy crop growth.
Despite the challenges brought by the dry spell, Tinapay said rice crops within the irrigation system remain productive and are still expected to be harvested on schedule.
To further support farmers in vulnerable areas, a solar-powered irrigation facility was installed in late January to improve water delivery in parts of the Padada River Irrigation System, particularly in downstream farming communities in Barangay Sinayawan, Hagonoy.
“This project shows our continued commitment to help farmers cope with the challenges brought by climate change,” Tinapay said.
Local farmer Darwin Bose from Hagonoy expressed gratitude for the solar-powered irrigation system, saying it helped restore water supply to farms that were beginning to dry up.
“My fellow farmers and I saw how big the difference was. Our fields had started to crack because of the dry conditions, but with the help of NIA, the water supply was restored,” Bose said.
The irrigation support has helped farmers remain hopeful that their crops will still yield a successful harvest despite the recent dry spell.
NPO News Team | Philippines News Agency – PR
