NIA’s solar-powered irrigation system kickstarts Dingras Campus as vegetable bowl
By Benedict Jay Collado
Driven by its vision of establishing a University Vegetable Bowl, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) launched a solar-powered irrigation system at its Dingras Campus on June 30 through a partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), preparing the campus to become the university's future vegetable provider.
Division Manager of NIA, Engr. Joselito De Vera led the turnover of the irrigation system, with MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano formally accepting the infrastructure. He later noted that, with this, the campus is now equipped to serve as the university’s bowl.
During the event, the MMSU campus in the northeast part of the province, through the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) Dean Charlie Batin, emphasized that the college is more than ready to take on the responsibility of becoming the institution's primary hub for vegetable supply.
Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight, and Dr. Marlina Lino, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, representing the Vice President for Academic Affairs, also witnessed the launch.
Dr. Leo Inocencio, Program Coordinator of CAFSD Dingras, further elaborated on the cropping system to be implemented on campus, outlining the seasonal production schedules for both wet and dry cropping periods. He stressed the integration of the solar-powered irrigation facility in ensuring a reliable water supply during the dry season.
The system is also expected to serve as a research site for students, as it will provide them opportunities to conduct their theses and other academic investigations, including crop management, irrigation practices, and sustainable vegetable production.
After the launch and turnover, officials of the university, the CAFSD Dingras faculty, along with its students, planted different vegetable sprouts and immature papayas to kickstart the implementation of the campus cropping program.
Jul, 03, 2026 11:58:am
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