‘16,563 hectares get irrigation boost this wet season, keeps Kalinga and Isabela farms growing’ - NIA-Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A total of 16,563 hectares of farmland are programmed for irrigation under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Kalinga’s 2026 wet-season program, helping sustain agricultural production across parts of Kalinga and Isabela.

Based on the NIA-Kalinga Progress of Farming Activities – Wet Crop Season 2026 as of August 24, the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) has a firmed-up service area of 17,575.66 hectares, with 16,563 hectares programmed for irrigation.

Of the programmed area, 12,342.13 hectares have already been planted, reflecting the role of irrigation in supporting farmers during the current wet cropping season.

UCRIS serves agricultural areas in Tabuk City and Pinukpuk in Kalinga, and Quezon and Mallig in Isabela.

Tabuk City has the largest programmed irrigation area at 8,321.21 hectares, followed by Quezon, Isabela, with 6,502.39 hectares; Mallig with 1,538 hectares; and Pinukpuk, Kalinga, with 201.40 hectares.

From 14,000 to over 16,000 hectares

NIA-Kalinga Division Manager Ferdinand Indammog said the agency’s irrigation coverage has steadily expanded through restoration projects and other interventions.

From more than 14,000 hectares in 2018, the agency’s service area has grown to more than 16,000 hectares in 2026, with further expansion still possible.

“From 2018, mapan nga over 14,000 lang ti kasla service area tayo compared tatta nga 2026, mapanen nga 16,000 hectares ket baka ngumato pay to 17,000 hectares,” Indammog said.

However, he noted that several factors could affect the agency’s efforts to expand its service area toward 17,000 hectares.

These include funding limitations, right-of-way concerns, procurement and construction delays, difficult terrain, unfavorable weather conditions, and water availability.

Expansion would also require the completion of engineering studies and the construction of necessary infrastructure, including canals, pumps, and other irrigation facilities.

Dry spell tested irrigation operations

Before the current wet-season conditions improved, NIA-Kalinga also faced challenges from dry weather that affected water availability for rice production.

Indammog said the limited water supply affected more than 500 hectares, prompting NIA to advise farmers in affected areas to temporarily consider crops requiring less water.

“Basing daytoy schedule tayo ket namulaan kuman amin nga rice fields tayon ngem gapo diay early July nga Super El Nino... so when we released the water from the dam ket talaga nagbassit lang ti danum kasi very dry talaga diay panawen,” he said.

NIA advised affected farmers to consider diversified crops, particularly vegetables that require less water.

“Diay da vegetables nga haan unay need ti danum like beans, balatong kasdiay,” Indammog added.

Farmers return to rice as water improves

As water availability improved, some farmers affected by the earlier shortage were able to return to rice planting.

Indammog said farmers who initially opted for diversified crops were gradually recovering as water levels increased and more fields became suitable for cultivation.

“Tatta, dagiti affected piman ket medyo nagbabawi dan nga nag-opt for diversified crops ta dakkel metten ti danum ket dimmanunen ti murmordong nga fields,” he said.

He expressed hope that water levels would continue to rise sufficiently to support agricultural areas.

“And hopefully ket agtultuloy pay ti panag-dakkel ti danum tapnu ma-suffice dagitoy farm fields tayo,” he added.

With 16,563 hectares programmed for irrigation and more than 12,000 hectares already planted, NIA-Kalinga’s 2026 wet-season program underscores the importance of reliable irrigation in keeping farms productive despite changing weather and water conditions.

The figures also reflect the continuing expansion of irrigation coverage, bringing more agricultural areas within reach of a more dependable water supply.