By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - A five-man team from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) together with the officers and personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-9 recently conducted a consultation here with the members of Dipolog-Polanco Irrigators Association (DPIA), the beneficiaries of the ARCP II projects implemented by DAR in Zamboanga del Norte.
DPIA has received a funding support worth P58 million under ARCP II through a loan from the ADB for the rehabilitation of the Dipolog Communal Irrigation System (DCIS) with 50 percent counterpart from the city government of Dipolog. The project is now 65 percent complete.
The irrigation project is expected to improve the water supply to the 700 hectares of rice fields in barangays Turno, Gulayon, Sta. Felomina, Galas, Olingan, Punta and Sinaman in Dipolog City and Polanco town.
ADB National Project Coordinator, Director Hernan Ongkiko said the Dipolog CIS, which covers 700 hectares, is the biggest irrigation project implemented by DAR and ADB in the country.
According to DPIA President Gomersindo Dimasuhid, the implementation of the said infrastructure project had addressed the inconsistent and irregular supply of water to the rice fields caused by the seepage on the earth canal.
DPIA officers and members expressed thanks to the government for choosing Dipolog City to be the recipient of ARCP II projects in the province.
The farmers vowed to intensify their production capability as they planned to increase their cropping from 2 to 3 cropping a year.
They admitted that the construction of concrete structure reduces water wastage and ensure regular supply of water to the rice fields.
Ongkiko, on the other hand, urged the farmers to adopt modern farm techniques and use organic fertilizer to produce quality palay and brand their produce as “DPIA Organic Rice.”
The consultation highlighted the midterm review and assessment of ARCP II projects by the ADB team
Moreover, Govenor Roberto Uy hoped that the visit of the ADB team could inspire the farmers to increase their production efficiency and contribute to the food sufficiency program of the government.
Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, on the other hand, vowed to continue her support to the farmers and cautioned them not to enter or apply for loan with any financial institution, as the city government is always ready to help them.
Other members of the ADB team include Lindsay Saunders, an agri-economist, project analyst Editha Tayo-Castro, and Principal Natural and Agriculture Specialist Sununtar Setboonsarng.
