DA-XI braces for possible El Niño

DAVAO CITY — (PIA)- The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region is bracing for the coming of a possible El Niño induced dry spell in the latter part of this year.

Among these preparatory interventions include: the introduction of drought tolerant varieties of crops, expanded irrigation areas, intensified campaign on crop insurance enrollment, information education campaign of water saving techniques, buffer stocking seeds and pesticides.

“Then we have this seasonal climate advisory and farm outlook advisory mao na siya ang gina-panghatag sa para ma-inform atong farmers (these are being distributed to inform our farmers),” says Joedel Leliza DA-11 Regional Disaster Risk Reduction focal person.

Other interventions include open surface pumps and spring development projects.

In its climate outlook, the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration) said that an El Niño could occur after June or the latter part of this year.

“After June, taas ang probability na magkakaroon ng El Niño” said PAGASA Davao Station chief meterological officer Lolita Vinalay during her guesting at Kapihan sa PIA on Jan. 20.

“Our office DOST PAGASA will issue El Niño watch it means 50% ang chance na magkakaroon ng El Niño then El Niño advisory kung magkakaroon na talaga ng El Niño, mararamdaman na natin ang impact,” Vinalay said.

The interventions to prepare for El Niño are already incorporated in the regular budget of the DA, according to Leliza.

“We have it under our regular budget in the Department of Agriculture,” Leliza said.