LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — The Laoag City Agriculture Office is encouraging farmers to adjust their crop planting calendars to adapt to dry spells brought by the El Niño phenomenon, after recording P7.1 million worth of agricultural losses as of April 2024.
In Laoag City, about 332 farmers and fisherfolk are experiencing the effects of dry weather in their crops, livestock, and fish supply.
Sheila Marie Opelac, a city agriculturist, said as the city government finalizes a rehabilitation plan to help farmers, they are encouraging them to adjust their planting calendars to plant drought resistant crops in the meantime to prevent more losses.
She encouraged farmers to plant mung beans and root vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes due to their drought-resistant qualities and they can be a substitute to rice in case of low supply.
By adjusting crop calendars, farmers can determine what and when to plant depending on the weather phenomenon to avoid losses during dry and wet seasons.
To further empower farmers, the city agriculturist said they will conduct an information campaign in barangays in the city to inform them on the El Niño phenomenon and its solutions, especially on how they can shift their cropping calendar.
“We cannot change natural phenomena, thus, we could only help those who are in the sector of farming and fisheries. During these information sessions, we will also distribute drought-resistant seedlings to assist farmers, help them to register their livestock for insurance, as well as record their concerns and complaints so we know what assistance to provide them,” Opelac said.
She added that they will start the barangay information sessions by May.
Moreover, the city government has started offering the Crop and Fishery Insurance Program.
In this program, the city government covers the payment of insurance for farmers and fisherfolks at the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) a government-owned corporation that aims to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses caused by natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestations of crops.
Moreover, the city agriculture office is coordinating with the city veterinary office in recording livestock farmers for insurance.
“We also want to remind farmers to provide sufficient shade, water, and food for their livestock animals, poultry, and fish, so they do not perish under the heat,” Opelac advised.
The city agriculture office is conducting continuous monitoring of weather and crops to mitigate losses due to drought. (JCR/MJTAB/EJFG/KTQ, PIA Region1- Ilocos Norte)
