Solar Irrigation Hailed as Key to El Niño Food Security

SOLAR IRRIGATION is emerging as a key element in the government’s strategy for dealing with food security challenges such as El Niño, officials said. During a panel discussion at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines’ Food Security Forum, Roger V. Navarro, agriculture undersecretary for Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization and Rural Credit, said solar is becoming more prominent in the government’s toolkit due to rising fuel prices, which have tended to blunt the impact of mechanization. Mr. Navarro said that as a result, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing solar irrigation systems, with the supply of tractors already deemed sufficient. Mr. Navarro said El Niño could be so severe that if the DA’s measures are not adequately funded after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA), “all Filipinos would need to pray.” Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. President Danilo V. Fausto also said irrigation will play a key role in getting through the next El Niño. “El Niño has to be anticipated. The impounding systems, water pumping, rainwater catching, saving water. I think that should be done by all, not only government,” Mr. Fausto said. Caitlin P. Punzalan, a board member of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc., advocated building in resilience into the supply chain, ensuring that back-ups are available to continue production. Ms. Punzalan cited supplier diversification, alternative energy sources, rainwater use and purification, and water recycling as possible avenues to achieve supply-chain resilience. “(That means) making sure that how we produce food is protected and we have back-ups for ensuring that we are able to continuously produce food,” Ms. Punzalan said. Ms. Punzalan noted the importance of keeping food affordable, pointing out the role played by manufacturers in absorbing costs to mitigate the price impact on consumers. “Manufacturers try to deploy as much as possible (measures that do not affect) consumers, (who are) consumers are the most critical stakeholders in food manufacturing. We always try to make sure or affordability,” Ms. Punzalan said. “If a company does increase, it’s really borne out of necessity,” she added. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza