Kalinga: The installation of more solar irrigation facilities will help increase Kalinga's rice yield and ensure food security, Governor James Edduba said Wednesday. 'The Secretary of the DA (Department of Agriculture) [Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.] committed that we will receive small water impounding projects, as well as solar irrigation projects aside from solar pumps so that river water can serve as source of irrigation,' Edduba said in a phone interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, Kalinga's abundant rivers provide a reliable water source that can be tapped to support rice production. Known as the rice granary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Kalinga produced 138,553 metric tons of rice in 2025, accounting for over 40 percent of the region's total yield of 339,249 metric tons. Also, last year, the province posted an average yield of 4.82 metric tons per hectare.

Edduba highlighted that Tabuk City, the provincial capital, remains the top rice producer within the province. However, he noted a decline in production due to land conversion, which has prompted efforts to boost production in other areas to sustain large yields.

He pointed out that the municipalities of Rizal, Tanudan, and Pinukpuk possess vast tracts of land suitable for rice farming but remain underutilized due to insufficient irrigation facilities. The governor expressed optimism that the Secretary's commitment to providing more irrigation facilities by 2027 and beyond will enhance production capabilities, reducing reliance on rainfed irrigation.