Research Details

Development of Solar Powered Fertigation System for sustainable Onion production

Artbellson B. Mamuri, Dionisio S. Bucao

Category

Study

Status

Continuing

Duration

Oct 1, 2024 -
Dec 31, 2026

Brief Description

The project pilots a solar-powered fertigation system for sustainable white onion production in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, integrating solar panels, pumps, controllers, drip irrigation, and a nutrient delivery mechanism to automate water and fertilizer application. It replaces diesel/gasoline-powered irrigation with a renewable-energy-driven, drip-based setup designed to reduce carbon emissions, improve water-use efficiency, and enhance nutrient management while generating field evidence on technical performance, economic viability, and operational challenges under real farm conditions.


Expected Output

  1. Fully installed and operational solar-powered fertigation system (solar array, pumps, controllers, drip network, nutrient tank, and basic sensors/automation) at the cooperating onion farm.

  2. Field data set and analysis on onion growth, yield, water and fertilizer consumption, and system reliability under the solar-powered fertigation setup versus traditional practice.

  3. Cost-effectiveness and sustainability report, including estimates of fuel savings, carbon emission reductions, and recommendations for scaling and adoption by other onion farmers.