NIA exec says additional P40B to boost agricultural productivity
MANILA, Philippines — The additional P40 billion to the 2024 budget of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) could be a big help to improve the country’s agricultural productivity, Administrator Eduardo Guillen said. Guillen explained that such an amount could irrigate an extra 57,000 hectares of rice lands, producing 570,000 metric tons more palay each year. The House of Representatives granted the additional P40 billion to NIA after its initially requested P132 billion budget for 2024 was reduced by the Department of Budget and Management to P40 billion. READ: To fight El Niño, NIA asks House to restore P90-B budget that DBM slashed “And if computed conservatively at P19 per kilo, it (palay) can generate P10.83 billion per year, with a payback period of four years or less,” the NIA official said in a statement Sunday. He thanked the House of Representatives for giving more budget to NIA, noting that it was a “wise investment on Philippine agriculture, the Filipino farmer and, ultimately, the average Filipino rice consumer.” READ: Fixing the rot at NIA “This significant sum of P40 billion will also play a crucial role in addressing both climate change and sustainability concerns. Solar-powered pump irrigation systems will revolutionize our nation’s irrigation coverage, reaching previously inaccessible areas while mitigating the impending effects of climate patterns like El Niño,” Guillen added. Aside from NIA, the House committee on appropriations led by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co also granted additional funding to the Department of Agriculture (P20 billion), Philippine Coconut Authority (P2 billion), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (P1 billion), and for vaccines against African swine fever (P1.5 billion). kga/abc
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