Vol. XXI, No. 163-A [ Business World Online ]
Thursday, March 20, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Agriculture department said yesterday a P100-million budget for the improvement of the Madongan Dam project in Ilocos Norte has been ordered released, to help raise crop harvests in the province by 10%, apart from other interventions in one of the country’s top five crop-producing regions.
Studies show that the development of the dam will raise farm production in Ilocos Norte’s irrigated lands by 10%, the department said in a statement.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap also committed P4 million for an irrigation project in Paoay town, and the delivery of 10 shredders, 10 flatbed dryers. In 11 other municipalities, 10 shallow tube wells will be built.
"We cannot just ask Ilocos Norte to increase its corn production by 10% this year without giving its farmers the support they need to attain this goal," Mr. Yap was quoted as saying.
The Ilocos region is a top producer of both rice and corn, the latter supplied as feeds to hog raisers in Central Luzon.
So far, the country has 1.413 million hectares of irrigated lands, representing less than half of the country’s total irrigable lands. — Eric B. Dorente
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