Ilocos Norte province is set to construct more small water impounding dams, as well as farm reservoirs and solar-powered irrigation systems, to cushion the effects of climate change especially on farmers.

A PHP305-million People’s Survival Fund (PSF) from the Climate Change Commission will be utilized for the project, dubbed Ilocos Norte Climate Resilient Intervention Towards Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, according to an interview Tuesday with Hashler Garalde, provincial government’s focal person for social and environmental safeguard.

For the first time, Ilocos Norte has secured a grant from the PSF, which aims to enhance people’s resilience in dealing with floods and other environmental challenges.

The project, to be implemented starting this year, is in collaboration with state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), several local government units, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and farmers’ groups.

“The project is composed of four components to be implemented in five years. The first component is the establishment of a Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP), 30 small farm reservoir and six solar-powered irrigation projects,” Garalde said.

The second component includes the improvement of the soil laboratory of the MMSU, which aims to develop a soil information system that will improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience of key cropping systems through soil health management.

Garalde said this project will support farmers and various stakeholders in managing soil for sustainable agricultural production.

An organic fertilizer production facility, agro-forestry and tree nursery project will be established under component 3.

Component 4 will include site development, construction, and acquisition of materials and equipment for the Climate Field School, deployment of 50 automated weather station and field sensors, and the development of wave applications and a weather database.

Established under Republic Act 10174 in 2012, the PSF had an initial capitalization of PHP1 billion to finance adaptation programs and projects of local government units and accredited local and community organizations. (PNA)