CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A P20-million solar-powered irrigation system will be built to revive agricultural productivity in a key vegetable-growing village in Bukidnon.

In a statement on Thursday, Department of Agriculture-Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan said the project is a partnership with the First Community Cooperative.

Pacamalan said the system aims to restore farm production in the upland barangay of Miarayon in Talakag town.

“Miarayon was once a vegetable gold mine of Bukidnon, but over the years its productivity declined. One major factor was market mismatch and over-dependence on buyers outside the region,” the DA-10 chief noted.

He explained that farmers relied heavily on Manila-based markets, leaving them vulnerable to price fluctuations, logistics issues, and high transport costs.

The solar irrigation system will use photovoltaic panels to power water pumps, providing a reliable and sustainable water supply.

Pacamalan welcomed the cooperative's initiative, saying it demonstrates how cooperatives and government can work together to revive key agricultural areas.

The project could start as early as January, following technical assessments and local coordination, he added.