April 13, 2010 12:42 pm
ILOILO CITY, April 13 –- The agriculture sector here is currently preparing plans for the wet season in May, especially on the procurement of El Niño resistant seeds.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales said that local farmers are now particular on using seeds that can withstand drastic climate changes.
Farmers want to make sure that their crops are going to yield despite a potential extended effects of El Niño, he said.
DA and its attached agencies are currently conducting series of consultations with farmers in the municipal and provincial level. In this forums, DA rice experts explain the need for farmers to use certified seeds as well as new innovations for better yield.
Nacionales also stressed the need to procure these El Niño resistant seeds, and certified seeds early. This is to avoid delays in the wet season planting, especially in rural areas, he said.
It was noted that farmers resort to planting non-certified seeds due to delays in the procurement of certified seeds. This contribute to large production loses especially if the seeds they planted wilts, or worse, succumb to climate change.
The DA regional office is also reminding provincial and municipal agriculture office to count the quantity of certified seeds needed by their local farmers. This way, the DA regional office could procure the right quantities and forestall delays.
The director admitted that delayed-seeds end up as waste of government funds if not use by the farmers.
Nacionales said that Western Visayas should beef-up efforts to recover its large loses due to the El Niño. This is the reason why DA is preparing this early for the wet planting season in May. (PNA) V3/LPCarnaje

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