EXPERIENCES OF THE SELECTED RICE FRAMER IN CABIAO, NUEVA ECIJA IN USING SOLAR WATER PUMP AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BASIN IRRIGATION

Abstract

About 1 billion people work in the agricultural sector. Approximately 28% of the population was employed in agriculture in 2018, down from 44% in 1991. Many people in low-to-middle-income countries rely on farming as their primary source of income (Roser, 2023). In the Philippines, agriculture is a major sector of the economy. However, despite being the primary occupation, it still entails several challenges. According to Al-Weshali (2015), government policies on diesel subsidies are linked to the large-scale pumping of water for cash crops. Hence, this study focused on the experiences of rice farmers using solar water pumps as an alternative to basin irrigation systems. This study used a qualitative approach, specifically a phenomenological research design, to examine the experiences of selected rice farmers in selected barangays in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija who use solar water pumps as an alternative to basin irrigation. The researchers gathered data from ten selected rice farmers who had experience using solar water pumps as an alternative to basin irrigation systems. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews supported by audio recordings. The gathered data were thoroughly analyzed and interpreted. The results showed that rice farmers in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija use solar water pumps because they are cost-effective, water-sustainable, and eco-friendly. The study also revealed that rice farmers had experienced using solar water pumps for several years, making them durable and reliable. In addition, solar water pumps were found to be more handy and accessible compared to basin irrigation systems. The results further indicated that the use of solar water pumps leads to higher profits for farmers compared to basin irrigation. Lastly, the findings showed that solar water pumps and basin irrigation systems differ significantly, as solar water pumps are non-polluting due to their reliance on solar energy, unlike basin irrigation systems that use diesel. The study also revealed that fewer mechanical problems were encountered when using solar water pumps compared to basin irrigation systems. The results reveal the experiences of selected rice farmers in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija in using solar water pumps as an alternative to basin irrigation. Rice farmers in the area use solar water pumps due to their cost-effectiveness, water sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Additionally, solar water pumps provide enduring water delivery to crops and contribute to increased farmer profits. The study also emphasizes that solar water pumps are easy to use and do not require constant monitoring compared to basin irrigation systems. The results showed that both solar water pumps and basin irrigation systems are accessible and deployable. Moreover, solar water pumps increase farmers’ profits by ensuring continuous water flow. With these findings, the study demonstrates that solar water pumps are one of the viable alternatives farmers can use in agricultural practices.