STA. JOSEFA, Agusan del Sur (PIA) – A considerable number of farmers in this landlocked far-flung municipality of Agusan del Sur have a reason to rejoice as the powerful Regional Development Council (RDC) OF Region 13 has endorsed the P57.7-million expansion of the Sta. Josefa Pump Irrigation Project here.

Because of this new development, more farmers in almost all barangays (villages) in this town will soon improve their yield.

The expansion of service area of the projects was unanimously endorsed by the RDC during its meeting held recently in Butuan City for funding by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The additional cost will expand the service area from 2,000 hectares to 2,787 hectares, a NIA official here said.

Presently, only the villages of Angas, Awao, Sayon, Concepcion, San Jose, and Patrocinio in this town are covered by adequate irrigation water supply.

NIA official Greg Y. Pang said that an additional service area of about 787 hectares will be irrigated in the villages of San Jose and Binongahan, also in this town.

The pump irrigation project’s main canal has a capacity of 3.76 cubic meters per second with a length of about 12.12 kilometers, making it possible to convey more irrigation water, added Pang.

NEDA Region 13 Director Carmencita S. Cochingco, who presided over the meeting in her capacity as officer-in-charge and ex-officio vice-chair of RDC 13, commented that the project will enable the Caraga Region to attain its rice production and food sufficiency targets.

Agusan del Sur is being considered as the “food basket” in Northern Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza was elated by the RDC’s endorsement, saying, “It is a big boost to our rice production in our province.”

He said the provincial government is currently looking for additional farming equipment for the farmers.