Ferliza C.
Contratista
CEBU CITY, April 22
(PIA)— Cebu City farmers taught to plant based on market demand.
In today’s Kapihan sa
PIA Cebu, Joelito Baclayon, Cebu City Agriculturist said farmers in the
City are guided in their planting based on the demands of the users, primarily
are the local ones.
Baclayon was among the
two guests from the agriculture sector today to discuss mainly as to how the
government is implementing preparations and manifestations of the El Nino
phenomenon.
Baclayon said, in the
capacity building extended to the farmers, they took into considerations the
different factors that may affect their production.
“Teaching them to
plant according to market demand is already an adaptation to El Nino and
climate change,” Baclayon said.
The farmers of the 28
farming barangays in the City produced 40 percent of the local market demand.
The high demand for
fruits and vegetables could be attributed to the rapid expansion of hotels,
restaurants and food chains in the province.
“The high volume
production of high valued vegetables, sweet corn, cut flowers and mangoes
account a significant contribution to the supply needs of the consumers in Cebu
as well as other provinces in the region,” Baclayon said.
Regional technical
director for research and development of the Department of Agriculture (DA-7) Joel
Elumba said they had also strengthened El Nino and climate change
preparations to farmers in the region.
“With or without El
Nino, we always call on them to prepare,” Elumba said.
He said they conduct
seminars with local agriculturists and farmers groups and also distributed
material.
“One technique there
is to plant root crops, spices and vegetables that do not need a lot of water
such as garlic, onions, mongo, camote, cassava and ube.
The Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on
Tuesday confirmed that the Philippines is currently experiencing a mild case of
El Niño.
A short dry spell may
persist in some parts of the country and may prolong the dry season.
(mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)