Ferliza
C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, April 22 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA-7)
declared there is no report of damages due to El Nino in the agricultural
sector as of press time.
DA-7 regional technical director Joel Elumba said “Our
farmers in Region VII already learned lessons from their experience with El
Nino in 2010.”
He said it was at that time that the agriculture sector suffered
the highest amount of loss. It made them aware of adaptation practices to
lessen effects on their crops and livestocks due to the extreme weather
phenomenon
However, this does not mean that the farmers will have to be
confident it may not be a smooth summer, because of a pronouncement from
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomic Service Administration (PAG-ASA
Mactan).
“PAG-ASA Mactan reiterated that the mild El Nino might prolong
until the last quarter of this year and may affect the second cropping of
the season,” he said.
Currently, DA-7 assured it is constantly monitoring the status of
the agriculture production due to this phenomenon. The farmers have
already harvested 80%-90% of their crops and are now on their finishing
touches.
Furthermore, the four provinces under the region produced 35
percent of their commodities. He said it is still insufficient for the
entire Central Visayas. Nevertheless other region’s supply is filling up the
gap.
Elumba calls on farmers to give DA-7 feedbacks on El Nino’s
effects, since they know their farmlands more DA will just assist. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/with
reports from Joshua Carbonilla, CTU Devcom Intern)