Bringing life to dry lands

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Ligao City. Hence, the cultivation of land resources is highly significant for the sustainability and improvement of livelihood of the local residents.

For many years, the 30 hectares of land at Purok 4 of Barangay Allang remained idle and less productive. Farming was difficult in the area which eventually led to lesser income generation.

Before the irrigation canal was established, the land was idle and less productive.

In 2012, the fate of these hectares of land has been changed. An irrigation canal was constructed to irrigate the 30 hectares of agricultural land at Purok 4. This was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez and the City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua.

The new irrigation canal covers 30 hectares of farm land at Purok 4, Barangay Allang.

One of the local residents who have been reaping benefits since the establishment of the irrigation system is 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos. He resides at Purok 4 Sitio Bulawgon with his wife and seven children. Bordeos is also the Vice President of the Irrigator’s Association in Allang.

The irrigation canal was constructed in 2012 to irrigate idle lands in the barangay.

Before the irrigation canal was established, Bordeos’s source of income came from farming one (1) hectare of rice field located at Purok 1 of Barangay Allang. He is able to harvest 80 cavans of rice every harvest season, twice a year. This yields to Php 120,000 gross annual income of his family. With all the expenses from rice production, Bordeos only earns Php 80,000 net annual income. That leaves him with only an estimated monthly income of Php 6,000 for his family. In addition to this, Bordeos also plants vegetables such as eggplant and squash which he sells in the market.

With the establishment of the irrigation system, not only it provided water resources to idle lands but it has improved the livelihood of local residents. The 30 hectares of unproductive land is now field with growing rice crops.

Left: 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos is reaping the benefits of having an irrigation canal. Right: Bordeos with Allang Barangay Captain  Nolito M. Quiles.

Bordeos owns 5,000 square meters of farm land in the newly irrigated area. He is able to harvest 60 cavans of rice per year which yields to Php 40,000 net income. This gives him an additional Php 3,000 income every month.

Like Bordeos, many farmers are in need of irrigation system to channel water resources their farm lands. This partnership project of the City Government of Ligao and Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez is a way of answering this concern that would likewise improve the living standards of the local farmers and their families. Lala Peñafiel / albay3d.blogspot.com