In the midst of a pandemic, where people are limited to the four corners of their homes for fear of catching and spreading the virus, technology has provided new and welcoming spaces for individuals and organizations to turn towards for continued operations. This holds true for SOLution (Solar-powered Irrigation System for Farming Communities), a project of ASSIST in partnership with Grundfos Pumps Philippines. The project aims to increase agricultural productivity of 100 farmers in Norzagaray, Bulacan by installing solar-powered irrigation systems. Last quarter, a two-day theoretical and on the job training on operation and maintenance of pumps and solar power irrigation systems was conducted. Plans to settle the on-going validation of pumps and further installation will be finalized once a travel pass for farmers has been issued.
The SOLution working committee has now converted face to-face training programs into an online training program for the farmers, in response to postponed physical operations and activities brought about by COVID-19 and quarantine efforts. Discussions with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region III, Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO) in Norzagaray, Bulacan, and Grundfos have already begun, with an end goal of developing an online platform that is easily accessible and can deliver more online training in the future.
MOVING FORWARD
Plans to settle the on-going validation of pumps and further installation will be finalized once a travel pass for farmers has been issued.
