NIA urges farmers: Pay irrigation fees

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Provincial Office urged to rice farmers in the province  to pay  their  irrigation fees as it is the life blood of efficient irrigation service.

NIA-Kalinga head Benito Estique earlier expressed optimism to achieve the collection target for the first cropping, since the province did not suffer serious damages from recent typhoons.

NIA has set a collection target of least 80 percent  of its P20 million target collectibles  from rice farmers in the province.

There are about 8,000 rice farmers in Kalinga and nearby province of Isabela benefitting from the NIA Chico River Irrigation System.

For the first cropping or during dry season, NIA charges P2,550/hectare irrigation service fee and P1,700 on the second cropping or during rainy season. NIA offers 10% discount to encourage farmers to pay on time.  

Meanwhile, NIA-Kalinga said it would resumeirrigation service before the end of the month for the second cropping (July   November).

According to Estique, irrigation service was temporarily cut last summer to pave way for the ongoing rehabilitation works on service canals..   Larry T. Lopez