Government helping farmers hit by dry spell

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (18 April 2015) - The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) would not recommend the declaration of a state of calamity in the city despite the ongoing dry spell.

This was the statement of Merlinda Donasco, CAO department head, during the Question and Answer Hour of the 85th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Donasco explained that, according to law, a requisite of 20 percent crop damage or affected farmers must take place in order for the city to declare a state of calamity.

Based on the crop damage report of CAO, only 6 percent of the farmers were affected by the dry spell, or 623 persons, and a total of 1069.9 hectares of land were affected, way beyond the 20 percent required by law.

The total estimated loss amounted to P37,600,230.

The crops affected were rice, corn, and high-value crops such as mango, coconut, banana and vegetables.

As reported, the dry spell or weak El Niňo according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) developed in December last year.

PAG ASA also warned of erratic typhoon season and declared that the phenomenon is likely to affect the rainfall pattern in different parts of the country in the coming months.

In an interview, Donasco mentioned further that the dry spell is expected to last until August of this year.

Donasco credited the cooperation of the local farmers with the different local government units in reducing the amount of crop damage despite the dry spell.

As part of the initiative and mitigation action plan, the CAO conducted activities as early as 3rd quarter of last year to create awareness to farmers and fisherfolk.

The initiative included the conduct of massive information/dissemination about the El Niňo phenomenon, advocacy campaign for planting root crops and other drought-tolerant crops, advocacy campaign for saving water and practicing container gardening to augment food production, and coordination with the Department of Agriculture for cloud-seeding operation to stimulate rain.

The Food for Work Program in the mitigation action plan provided temporary food relief to the farmers, farm workers, and fisherfolk by distributing 2,000 bags of rice for 10,000 families, or 10 kilos per family.

The CAO is continually monitoring operations, especially in barangay Mabuhay, San Jose, Sinawal and Tinagacan. CAO would distribute seeds and vegetables from Department of Agriculture amounting to about 250 kilos to the affected farmers. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)