NIA Continues Partnership with LR Group for Solar Powered Irrigation Projects

February 26, 2021, 2:45 PM

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, has continued negotiations with Israeli-based firm LR Group for Solar Powered Fertigation System (SPFS) last Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Following the successful 2018 visit to Israel by President Rodrigo Duterte, the respective countries, through their relevant departments and agencies, have entered into an Implementation Agreement. As a result of the Implementation Agreement, the LR Group, designed Solar Powered Fertigation System (SPFS) technology systems that are optimized for any location in the country, and can deliver water and fertilizers for any type of crops. The system is designed to increase crop yields while significantly cutting farmers’ costs, thus meeting the policies and objectives of our government.

SPFS technology enables implementation of easy to install, “out of the box”, cost-effective, integrated irrigation and fertigation systems. Using precision Israeli agriculture technology, the system increases the farmers’ production and profitability while significantly reducing crop cultivation cost. This features Solar Energy to replace high costs of energy generated by diesel with an efficient, maintenance-free source of energy, Shallow tube wells that facilitates the use of highly efficient submersible or surface pumps, reducing maintenance and increasing the overall system reliability, Precise fertilizer solution for integration of low-pressure fertilizer tanks into the irrigation system, Smart agriculture to undertake real time data collection, and Flexible design fit for purpose among others.

“When we proceed to the bigger G2G (Government to Government) project, just to mention, that would include training and scholarships for people from NIA to farmers and others,” Ilan Weiss of LR Group highlighted.

The pursuit for Solar Powered Irrigation is part of the undertaking of the Agency towards modernization and innovation aligned in the 10-Year National Irrigation Master Plan that provides the roadmap and sets direction for irrigation development of the country.

“We have the 10-Year Irrigation Master Plan. In so far as modernization of irrigation systems is concerned, that is embedded in this Irrigation Master Plan. So this modernization undertaking that we are in now will jibe in the 10-Year Irrigation Master Plan,” Administrator Visaya said.

Administrator Visaya assured that aligned with the Agency’s continuous efforts for innovative irrigation, NIA remains committed to its mandate of providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers while making a strategic contribution to the development of the country’s agricultural sector.

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya heads the meeting with Israeli-based firm LR Group for Solar Powered Fertigation System (SPFS)

NIA Top Management Officials, Department Managers, and Regional and Project Managers of Luzon Island present during the meeting with LR Group for Solar Powered Fertigation System (SPFS)