Malapatan, Sarangani Province — Farmers in Barangay Kinam can now look forward to improved harvests and better livelihoods after the National Irrigation Administration–South Cotabato-Sarangani Irrigation Management Office (NIA-SCSIMO) officially turned over the Kinam Small Irrigation Project (SIP) to the Kinam-Kitulag Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Inc. on August 15, 2025.
Funded in 2018 and completed in 2023, the Kinam SIP has a total project cost of more than ₱144 million. It will provide sustainable irrigation service to 119 hectares of farmland, directly benefiting 36 farmer-members of the irrigators’ association.
The turnover was led by NIA-SCSIMO Acting Division Manager Engr. Rowena G. Ebeo, together with NIA Region XII Engineering and Operations Acting Division Manager Engr. Ma. Luz B. Laud. Hon. Judy H. Silva, president of the Kinam-Kitulag Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Inc., formally accepted the project on behalf of the farmers.
Local officials, including Malapatan Mayor Hon. Salway D. Sumbo Jr., Vice Mayor Jean Delos Santos, the 17th Sangguniang Bayan, Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Agnes L. Du, and Barangay Captain Hon. Ruben D. Sumbo, witnessed the milestone event.
Boosting Productivity and Food Security
The Kinam SIP is expected to significantly enhance agricultural productivity in the municipality by ensuring a steady and reliable water supply for rice and other high-value crops. For decades, many farmers in the area have relied heavily on rain-fed farming, which left them vulnerable to long dry spells and inconsistent yields.
With this project, farmers will now have access to year-round irrigation, allowing them to cultivate more than one cropping season, reduce production risks, and increase income.
“This project will not only help us secure water for our fields but also provide us with the confidence to invest more in our farms,” Silva said during the ceremony.
According to NIA officials, the Kinam SIP directly supports the government’s broader food security agenda and rural development programs. By empowering farmers with reliable irrigation, the project helps ensure a stable food supply while uplifting communities that depend largely on agriculture.
A Lifeline for Farmers
The significance of the Kinam SIP goes beyond infrastructure. For farmers in Malapatan, it represents a lifeline that strengthens resilience against climate challenges, promotes sustainable farming practices, and improves overall quality of life.
By transforming 119 hectares of farmland into irrigated fields, the project is expected to generate higher yields of rice and cash crops, reduce poverty in farming households, and encourage younger generations to remain engaged in agriculture.
As irrigation remains one of the cornerstones of agricultural progress, the Kinam SIP stands as a long-term investment in the farmers of Malapatan—ensuring that their hard work continues to feed communities while securing a more prosperous future for their families.