NIA operated and maintained 199 NIS under 114 responsibility centers or irrigation systems offices nationwide with a total service area of 695,796 ha.

The programmed area for irrigation this crop year is 1,039,018 ha. As of the end of the first quarter, irrigated area was 441,202 ha during the dry season (November 2003 to April 2004) and 28,743 ha during the wet season (May 2004 to October 2004) or a total of 469,945 ha which is 45 % of the programmed area. The irrigated cropping intensity attained was 68 percent. (Annex D)

The organization and development of farmer-beneficiaries were continuously undertaken nationwide to facilitate implementation of irrigation development and management. Trainings were conducted to increase the capabilities of farmer-beneficiaries.

As of end of first quarter, 13 IA were organized and strengthened in NIS and CIS. One hundred twenty IA were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A total of 51 IA contracted with NIA for the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, while 458 IA renewed their contracts.

Basic Leadership Development and Financial Management & System Management Trainings were conducted in 2,771 irrigation beneficiaries. Orientation Training was conducted for 108 staff-members.

The agency satisfactorily maintained in operating condition 8,014 units of heavy light/transport, special and support equipment and irrigation pumps. A total of P9 M was spent for the repair and maintenance of economically reparable equipment. Adequate operating equipment were provided in the field offices nationwide to support project construction, repair and rehabilitation of existing systems and O&M activities.

The sale through public auction of unserviceable equipment was continued to reduce further the unnecessary operating expenditures and to generate income. As of end of first quarter, equipment rental generated reached P53 M and an overall equipment operability of 61 percent was attained. (Annex F)