Agrivoltaics to solve Zamboanga Sibugay’s energy and food challenges, and save denuded land

1. Project Title

“Agro-Solar Forest Restoration and Food Security Project in Zamboanga Sibugay”

2. Background

Zamboanga Sibugay is one of the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX) facing:

  • Unreliable electricity supply → high cost and frequent brownouts affecting homes, schools, and businesses.
  • Food insecurity → dependence on imported rice, vegetables, and processed goods.
  • Unemployment and poverty → upland and coastal communities lack sustainable livelihoods.
  • Degraded forestlands → denuded slopes vulnerable to erosion and flooding.

The DENR’s SFLMA (Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement) program (2025) opened 1.2 million hectares of degraded forest lands as Potential Investment Areas (PIAs) for renewable energy, agroforestry, carbon credits, and ecotourism.

This project proposes a dual-use land model (Agrovoltaics) combining solar energy farms with agroforestry crops, directly addressing Zamboanga Sibugay’s pressing issues.

3. Objectives

  1. Energy Security: Install a 20 MW solar farm to supply affordable, clean power to Zamboanga Sibugay and nearby provinces.
  2. Job Creation: Generate 1,000+ jobs in construction, farm labor, crop management, and solar operations.
  3. Food Security: Cultivate shade-tolerant, high-value crops beneath and around solar arrays.
  4. Environmental Restoration: Reforest at least 1,000 hectares of degraded land with productive trees and soil-protecting crops.
  5. Sustainability & Inclusion: Involve local farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous Subanen communities through cooperatives and training.

4. Proposed Crops (Shade-Tolerant & Suitable for Agrovoltaics)

  • Cacao – thrives in partial shade, export potential.
  • Coffee (Robusta/Excelsa) – grows well in upland shade systems.
  • Banana & Papaya – fast-growing intercrops, good income turnaround.
  • Pineapple – low height, fits under solar panel rows.
  • Leguminous Cover Crops (e.g., peanut grass / Arachis pintoi) – nitrogen fixer, controls weeds.
  • Vegetables (eggplant, pechay, okra, ginger) – can grow in semi-shade areas, for local food security.
  • Bamboo – planted at site edges/slopes for crafts, soil stabilization, and carbon credits.

5. Implementation Plan

Phase 1: Preparatory (6–12 months)

  • Secure DENR SFLMA agreement for 1,000–1,500 hectares of degraded forest land.
  • Conduct site assessment (soil, slope, sunlight, community mapping).
  • Community consultation with LGUs, barangays, and IP groups (FPIC process).
  • Establish project cooperative or joint venture (farmers + investors).

Phase 2: Infrastructure & Planting (Year 1–2)

  • Install elevated solar arrays on 200 hectares (~20 MW capacity).
  • Begin planting of cacao, coffee, bananas, pineapples, and cover crops under and around panels.
  • Train community workers in solar O&M (operation & maintenance) and agroforestry.

Phase 3: Production & Operation (Year 2–5)

  • Solar farm generates power sold to Zamboanga Sibugay grid and Mindanao power pool.
  • First harvest of bananas, papaya, pineapple (short-term income).
  • Progressive harvest of cacao & coffee (long-term export crops).
  • Bamboo processing & handicrafts for community livelihood.

Phase 4: Scaling & Sustainability (Year 5 onwards)

  • Expand to additional PIAs in Zamboanga Peninsula.
  • Develop eco-tourism packages (solar farm tours + farm-to-table experience).
  • Explore carbon credits market for bamboo + agroforestry trees.

6. Expected Outcomes

  • Energy: 20 MW clean power → ~25,000 households served.
  • Jobs: 1,000 direct + 2,500 indirect jobs created.
  • Food: 5,000 tons of bananas/pineapples, 200 tons cacao, 150 tons coffee annually after maturity.
  • Environment: 1,000 hectares reforested, soil erosion reduced, carbon sequestration credits.
  • Social: Inclusive livelihood for farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous communities.

7. Process to Take

  1. DENR Application (SFLMA) → submit proposal, pay user fees (solar ₱85,000/ha/year; agroforestry ₱1,200/ha/year).
  2. Partnership Agreements → LGUs, electric cooperatives (Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative / ZAMSURECO), private investors.
  3. Community Engagement → organize cooperatives, conduct training, secure IP consent if applicable.
  4. Financing → blend of private investors, LGU equity, DENR support, and climate funds (e.g., Green Climate Fund, ADB renewable grants).
  5. Monitoring → satellite/GIS monitoring (DENR standard), community reporting, annual audit.

8. Alignment with DENR Goals

  • Directly contributes to saving 1.2M hectares of forest lands via reforestation + sustainable use.
  • Creates green jobs while ensuring energy and food security.
  • Demonstrates innovative land use: renewable energy + agroforestry = maximum productivity with ecological protection.

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