The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office is ready to mitigate El Niño phenomenon if and when it finally hit Cagayan Valley.
Jessyflor Fagaran, agriculture disaster action officer, said there is a strong possibility the long dry spell as predicted by PAGASA will result in damage to crops and induced heat stress to livestock.
Fagaran said the phenomenon might cause the emergence of pest and diseases for livestock and crops which can affect the productivity level of both.
“Our mitigation measures include reactivation of our disaster task force for El Niño, mapping of drought vulnerable areas as well as maximization of production in the non-vulnerable areas and measures to save production in vulnerable areas,” she said.
Cagayan Valley contributes largely to national production of rice and corn. The agency reported seeds will be subsidized for those affected.
“ Hybrid seeds for 20,000 hectares of rice fields and 40,000 hectares of cornfield plus certified seeds of rice for 35,000 hectares have been prepared aside from vegetable seeds for 150 hectares and legumes for 1, 500 hectares,” she added.
Other than these, DA is also set to give soil ameliorants for 55,000 hectares of rice areas and corn for 40,000 hectares as well as trainings for pest and disease control methods to farmers.
With these, Fagaran is optimistic that farmers will be able to cope with effects of dry spell in the region and to produce expected production. (ALM/OTB/PIA-Cagayan)