By Kristy Mabulay & Jackylyn Artiaga / UM Interns
THE CITY Agriculturist Office (CAGrO) assured continued support to farmers who are reeling from the effects of El Ñino.
During the iSpeak forum on April 18, CAGrO chief Edgardo Haspe said they already started preparing for El Ñino as early as March. Reports revealed that the extreme drought devastated 91.58 hectares of rice and vegetables leaving 106 farmers without a harvest.
“As part of our ways forward in addressing drought concerns, we have focused on building irrigation facilities,” Haspe said.
According to PAGASA, extreme heat is expected in April and May following the declaration of dry season in the country, with the heat index in Davao City “may reach 40-42 degrees Celsius.”
Haspe said an irrigation project in Paquibato and Marilog District will help more or less 100 farmers.
Apart from the project, CAgrO provided rainwater catchment systems across various districts. These receptacles will store rain that farmers can later use when they run low on water.
The city government already installed 266 rainwater catchment systems in Marilog District, nearly 80 systems in the Paquibato District, and an additional 42 in Calinan District.
Haspe stressed the need to improvise container watering techniques to ensure proper plant hydration to mitigate the risk of crop dehydration and forest fires. Finally, CAgrO lent 60 units of power sprayers for farmers’ associations and 72 water pumps they can use for dippy vegetables, rice, and corn.
