DA-11 readies El Niño interventions in Davao

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(PNA), LAP/LCM/CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE/LDP

DAVAO CITY, Sept. 3 (PNA) -- With the weather bureau’s forecast of worsening El Niño, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has outlined interventions to cushion its impact in the region.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the region might experience near normal rainfall condition from August to November 2015 while below normal condition is expected from November 2015 to January 2016.

DA Regional Director Remelyn Recoter, in a consultative meeting with provincial agriculturists and veterinarians, said her office is proposing P95 million to fund the regional El Niño mitigation action plan.

"December and January will be our critical period as the forecast says the region will expect lowest rainfall pattern particularly in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur," Recoter said.

Among the strategies identified include installation of 200 Open Source Pumps (OSPs) for irrigators' associations (IAs) under rice program. Another 25 units of OSPs will be installed through the provincial local government units (PLGU) under the corn program.

For high-value crops program, the region is proposing the establishment of small-scale irrigation projects such as spring development and water pump rehabilitation. The program will also provide vegetable seeds including mungbean and soya beans.

Other interventions for crop sub-sector include buffer stocking of seeds for farmers to immediate plant and recover after the dry spell.

For the livestock sub-sector, vitamins and antibiotics will be provided and buffer stocks for forage seeds and train farmers on silage making will be ensured.

Recoter said part of the proposed regional funding is to conduct four Cloud Seeding Operations (CSO), at P3 million per activity.

“Cloud seeding will only be conducted if the affected area is at least 1,000 hectares with existence of standing crops at critical growth stage,” she said.