Community groups given irrigation, composting tools for crops

Several provincial community groups have received irrigation and composting equipment from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) aimed at boosting crop production. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Several provincial community groups have received irrigation and composting equipment from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) aimed at boosting crop production.

“Take care of (these facilities) because these will help boost your livelihood,” BSWM Water Resources Management Division chief Teresita Sandoval told the groups at the turnover rites during the agency’s 67th anniversary celebration in Metro Manila on Friday.

The BSWM dubbed the facilities Small-Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIPs) and Composting Facilities for Biodegradable Wastes (CFBWs), such as rice straw and other agricultural residues.

The recipient groups will operate and maintain the facilities themselves.

Sandoval said she hopes the composting facilities would encourage farmers to improve soil condition by using compost and reduce dependence on commercial fertilizers.

The SSIP recipients were Negros Occidental province’s Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, North Cotabato’s Tulunan National High School, and Zambales province’s Samahang Magsasaka ng Longos.

These groups received a ram pump irrigation system, solar-powered irrigation system, and wind pump irrigation system, respectively.
The CFBW recipients were Pangasinan province’s Bayambang local government unit (LGU), Cagayan province’s Camalaniugan LGU, Tarlac province’s Paniqui LGU, Nueva Ecija province’s Rizal LGU, and Batangas province’s Tanauan LGU.

Among the composting facilities turned over were mixers.

Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of Negros Occidental’s La Castellana municipality thanked BSWM for turning over the SSIPs and CFBWs.

The mayor said the facilities are a big help to the local communities, especially those who cannot afford these.