SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are working together on an agriculture project that aims to improve 11 national irrigation systems in 10 provinces.
The project, known as the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP), is a 6.187 billion yen (approximately P2.639 billion) project meant to increase rice productivity and help establish sustainable operations and management by rehabilitating and improving irrigation, strengthening irrigators’ associations, and providing agricultural support.
Due to the effects of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the Philippine government admitted that the country would be unable to hit its rice self-sufficiency goal in 2013.
Agriculture Undersecretary Dante Delima earlier said the country could meet its domestic requirements with the level of production as is, but would only be able to attain a 50-day buffer stock, as opposed to a 90-day buffer required for 100% self-sufficiency in rice.
The JICA project will attempt to restore approximately 11,501 hectares and rehabilitate 24,169 hectares of agriculture lands.
The 11 irrigation systems to be covered by the project are the following:
- Malatgao river irrigation system (RIS) in Palawan
- Madongan and Solsona RIS (Ilocos Norte)
- San Fabian RIS (Pangasinan)
- Porac-Gumain RIS (Pampanga)
- Dumacaa RIS (Quezon)
- Sta. Barbara RIS (Iloilo)
- Muleta RIS (Bukidnon)
- Mal RIS (Davao del Sur)
- Lambayong RIS (Maguindanao-Sultan Kudarat)
- Simulao RIS (Agusan del Sur)
JICA senior representative Sachiko Takeda noted, “Through this project, JICA envisions to contribute to the Philippines’ food security, and improve the living standards of more than 20,000 Filipino farmers.” – Rappler.com
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