The equipment was turned over by NIA through its Equipment Management Division (EMD) at Zoomlion Yard in Mandaue City. | Courtesy of NIA
CEBU CITY, Philippines — To optimize the irrigation systems and enhance agricultural productivity in the Visayas regions, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) turned over 23 new excavators here on December 13, 2023.
The pieces of equipment were turned over by NIA through its Equipment Management Division (EMD) at Zoomlion Yard in Mandaue City.
According to the NIA, they turned over nine units for Region 6 (Western Visayas), six units for Region 7 (Central Visayas), and eight units for Region 8 (Eastern Visayas).
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A significant step
NIA-7 said that the turnover was “a significant step towards bolstering agricultural infrastructure” in the regions.
In total, there were 141 units of excavators that were turned over to the NIA Regional Offices in the country, amounting to a “significant investment” of P766 million.
The turnover ceremony was attended by key personnel from NIA Central Office EMD, alongside Equipment Unit Heads and Operators representing the three Visayas regions, as well as some Cebu farmers.
“This stride reflects the government’s commitment, through the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the NIA Administrator Engineer Eddie G. Guillen, towards aiding farmers through modernizing irrigation infrastructure across the country,” NIA said.
As of writing, there are over 55 excavators now in the Visayas regions. NIA-7 said that Central Visayas has an existing 19 excavators, Western Visayas has 21, but no data yet for Eastern Visayas, as NIA-7 is waiting for their response.
“The excavators will aid the operation and maintenance of our irrigation facilities such as desilting of canals, repair of service roads, optimizing the performance towards agricultural productivity,” said Zarline Sambas, NIA-7 public relations officer.
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CV low in crop production
In the 2022 Performance of Agriculture and Fisheries, Central Visayas recorded the “biggest decline” among the 16 regions in the Philippines in terms of value of crop production.
Bicol Region posted the highest positive growth rate in crop production with 2.6 percent in, followed by Cagayan Valley with 1.7 percent, then Northern Mindanao with 1.2 percent, and Ilocos Region with 1 percent growth. Only these four regions recorded a positive growth in crop production value.
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Excavators can help farmers
With this, Sambas said that the excavators would help the farmers, especially in the crop production.
“It can be used to efficiently remove sediment, debris, and vegetation from canals. This ensures that water can flow freely, preventing blockages that could otherwise reduce the efficiency of irrigation systems,” said Sambas.
“Pagwalay silt, mamaintain ang proper water flow, ensuring that water reaches agricultural fields in a timely and consistent manner. This is essential for crop health and growth,” she added.
(If there is no silt, then we can maintain the proper water flow, ensuring that water reaches agricultural fields in a timely and consistent manner. This is essential for crop health and
Silt refers to the sediments or soil particles in channels which may result in clogging and hampering the flow of water.