THE CITY Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) discouraged farmers in the province from slash-and-burn farming (kaingin) in the middle of the El Niño phenomenon.
In an interview, Edgardo Haspe, city agri head, said as the city experiences the peak of El Niño and a high heat index, the kaingin method could be twice as destructive and dangerous.
“We discourage that kind of technology because instead of utilizing it for their fertilizer, it will only turn into ashes as fire spreads faster now due to the El Niño,” Haspe said.
Kaingin is a process of removing natural vegetation and then burned to make way for agricultural areas. According to the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines of 1975 (PD 705), it is prohibited throughout the country.
Based on the latest advisory reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s advisory no. 9, the El Niño phenomenon has already weakened in the March-May season.
Meanwhile, Haspe said the transition to the La Niña phenomenon will likely be more helpful for agricultural products, particularly fruit crops.
“Our fruit crops will probably be subject to stress if they are deprived of water. Our crops such as lanzones and durian might stimulate more if there is rain,” he said.
CAgrO also encouraged farmers to ask for assistance, especially on water pumps and fertilizers, from their offices in Marilog, Paquibato, Toril, Baguio, Tugbok, Calinan, Talomo, and Bunawan.
