DA-7 talks to farmers, others in preparation for dry season

The Department of Agriculture (DA)7 has consulted local agriculturists and farmers to come up with a plan to mitigate the adverse effects of the increasing heat this dry season to crops and livestock.

The agricultural department intended to prepare small-scale farmers by reaching out to stakeholders and local officials to minimize or prevent any loss or damage to their livelihood.

DA-7 Information Officer Melquiades Ibarra told The FREEMAN that the regional agency facilitated series of fora in the three provinces of Central Visayas, including Negros Oriental.

These were attended by city and municipal agricultural officers, farmers, mayors, agricultural technicians, and other stakeholders to discuss about the possible effects of the rising heat in the coming weeks.

The multi-sectoral forum served as an avenue for DA-7 to solicit ideas from the farmers and to find ways on what the agency can contribute in order to protect the crops and livestock.

He said the topics discussed during the orientation, aside from the ill effects of the dry season, was the status of the climate change.

Ibarra added they also touched on the precautionary measures that need to be done to prepare them from the increasing temperature and the reducing rainfall volume.

He said their main objective is to create awareness and prepare farmers on what to do and also to capacitate the local government units, particularly the agriculture offices.

He said the scorching heat may dry the lands and, without sufficient water or irrigation, may damage the crops and this can also affect the health condition of the livestock that might be suffering from heat stress or other heat injuries.

The agency has discouraged farmers from toiling their lands and seed irrigated plants since there are lesser rainy days expected for the coming weeks and especially when an El Niño is anticipated to occur on the second half of the year.

He said participants were advised to plant crops that could withstand the hot weather, like okra.

He added that they were also encouraged to store water while there is still available, since there might be a deficit in rainfall in the coming days.