DA, NGOs Tackle Climate Change/El Niño

DA, NGOs Tackle 

Climate Change/El Niño

Purveyor of Agricultural Development. Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, (Left) Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Policy, Planning, Research and Regulatory Services of the DA 6 receives award as Outstanding in Government Service – Agriculture Sector during the 5th Anniversary of Keep on Talking at SM City Iloilo from Commissioner Jo Jan Paul Peñol (right) of the National Youth Commission last July 6, 2014. Dr. Wendam is also the DA’s focal person for Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process, Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, Philippine Rural Development Program and Agri-Pinoy Organic Agriculture programs. She is instrumental in mainstreaming agri-infra projects like farm to market roads, postharvest facilities and farm mechanization among local government units in Region 6. 

In response to the alarming changes in the climate and the occurrence of extreme weather disturbances, the Panay Organic Producers Association (POPA), Solutions Ecosystem Activator (SEA), Inc. and the Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 convened a one-day forum recently. They discussed the mitigating measures against climate change and protracted dry spell which are most likely to occur this year.

International Expert on Climate Change Dr. Steeve Godilano presented the challenge of climate change to farmers and general public “We have to understand global warming in order for us to come up with appropriate solutions”, he suggested.

Dr. Godilano pointed out that climate change will affect agriculture, livestock, fresh water, fisheries and coastal resources.

“Our goal to achieve agricultural productivity, sustainability and food security in the future will depend on our ability to predict and manage changes in our agricultural landscape and the effects of a changing climate”, Dr. Godilano added.

DA Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales urged the municipal agriculturists, and other leaders to understand the real score of El Niño and its possible effects to crops, livestock and fisheries.

“El Niño is a serious phenomenon that must be given due attention. The DA is preparing farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers to face the dry months,” said Dir. Nacionales.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) will strengthen its weather surveillance in order to feed the farmers with accurate information on weather conditions. According to Dir. Nacionales, in July there is above normal rainfall in most parts of the country except in Mindanao with below normal rainfall. The Philippines maybe affected by southwest monsoon, high and low pressure area, intertropical convergence zone and tropical cyclones according to PAG-ASA.

“Crops planted in the months of May and June can be harvested in September while crops planted in July can be harvested in October. Within those months, rice planting is encouraged so that when El Niño starts in November, rice production won’t be compromised,” Nacionales stressed.

He advised the farmers to plant corn and sugarcane for it can survive during drought. “Choosing the right commodities to plant will help farmers avoid crop loss or damage. We also encouraged the planting of vegetables such as ampalaya, okra, eggplant and tomato,” he emphasized.

The DA encourages the buffer stocking of seeds, planting materials, veterinary drugs, biologics and other production inputs prior to the onset of El Niño. The DA will enhance its cloud seeding operations, rehab of irrigation systems, machineries and postharvest facilities, crop insurance and pest and monitoring surveillance. /MP