BY: RIZALIE CALIBO
SIQUIJOR, June 24 (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture (DA) laid out its plans to counter possible damages that the climate change may bring to the agriculture sector in the Siquijor province.
In a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum here, Provincial Agriculture and Technology Coordinating Officer (PATCO) Bernadith Bunado said the office has proposed nearly P10 million to fund Climate change preparation activities and measures.
She said this would focus on vulnerable sectors such as, rice, corn, high value crop, vegetable growers and livestock raisers as the DA vowed to sustain food sufficiency in the province.
Regional Technical Director for research and regulatory said preparations for climate change were already started since the last quarter of 2013 which include information, education and communication campaign, buffer stockings of seedlings, strengthening and monitoring of evaluation facilities, fund allocations for vaccines for livestocks as well as campaign for good and responsible husbandry practices.
He said funds for cloud seeding are already in place as he discussed El Nino onslaught that is feared to greatly affect agriculture.
He advised farmers to seek technical support from their local offices and encouraged every household to join and participate in the DA’s move for food sufficiency through integration of food commodities in farming.
He, however, advised farmers to seek technical assistance from their local counterparts prior to planting so that the seeds and their efforts will not be wasted.
Supporting the call for intercropping technique and backyard gardening, Provincial Agriculturist Ramon Taroc said intercropping enables farmers to have sure yields while backyard gardening will boost food security and sufficiency in the province.
He told farmers to plant drought tolerant crops like cassava and other crops. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo)