Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol says he will come back to Abra to work with Gov. Joy Bernos in bringing more agricultural program and projects.

He said this during his visit to inspect and turnover the Solar-Powered Irrigation System Projects (SPIS) in Bagalay, Tayum and Malabbaga, La Paz, on May 23, 2019.

“Water is very important in farming, and through the Solar-Powered Irrigation System, we can generate solar power and take advantage of the El Niño,” Piñol said.

Secretary Piñol said this new technology will help the farmers increase their production. Farmers can harvest five metric tons per hectare compared to 2.8 metric tons per hectare yearly.

Most of the farm areas in Abra are rain-fed resulting in only one harvest a year. The irrigation system is a big help to double or even triple their production.

He also announced more farm-to-market road projects for Bangued, Bucay, Danglas, Peñarrubia, Sallapadan, and Lagangilang, and farm equipment like tractors, rice harvesters, hand tractors, rice planters, and dryers for the entire province.

Piñol said he will work with Governor Bernos in making the Abra Agricultural Master Plan to identify more agricultural and road projects needed for the province.

Gov. Bernos said food-sufficiency is one of her key priorities in her second term by bringing the technologies and agricultural programs in upland areas to increase their production.