City farmlands suffering from erratic weather

CEBU, Philippines - Farms in Cebu City’s upland barangays continue to suffer from the erratic weather condition, which is already affecting crop productions.

“Dili lang sa obserbasyon pero nasinati na gyud namo ang pag-usab sa kinaiyahan. Kon mag-uwan, mobunok pero kon moinit, init pud kaayo. Lain iyang epekto sa mga tanom,” said Emelio Secretaria.

Secretaria is the chairman of the Cebu City Federation of Farmers Association and Cooperative, Inc., which has around 1,800 members

Most affected by the problem are those growing ginger, said Secretaria.

“More than 50 percent sa luy-a sa bukid nalata tungod sa nag-usab usab nga panahon. Dako ang alkansi sa farmers nga nagtanom og luy-a. Wala pa gani niabot ang grabi nga El Niño,” he said.

A farmer who sets a capital of P120 per kilo of ginger roots, Secretaria stated, is expected to collect P1,200 or ten times from his investment.

“Problema pa gyud kay nibarato ang presyo sa luy-a pero dako ang puhonan,” he said, citing that the farm gate price of ginger per kilo ranged from P15 to P20.

“Inig harvest kay nangalata pa jud ang uban. Naay mga farmers nga napugos na lang og harvest bisan linghod pa kay mangalata unya,” he added.

The Freeman was able to interview Secretaria during the opening of the 2nd Cebu City Agri-Bonanza held at the Plaza Sugbu grounds yesterday.

The activity bears the theme “Maayong Pamaagi sa Panguma Atong Sundon Aron sa ASEAN Integration Kita Malampuson,” which showcases farmers’ crops and products.

The five-day activity is initiated by the Department of Agriculture-7 and the Cebu City government through the City Agriculture Department.

Secretaria urged the city government to find ways to counter the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

The concerned agencies, he added, should also come up with strategies using modern technology to address the crisis.

City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said they are set to build in the last quarter in 2015 three units of water impounding in each of the 28 upland barangays.

“This will be implemented at the end of October until December since there are 85 units (to be set up) so this is timely since El Niño is approaching,” he said.  (FREEMAN)