Rain water for the farms

The Philippines is wasting too much water and if we could retain ten percent of the water we waste that would bolster to a large extent our food production.

It appalling that we get so much water from strong rains but can’t have enough of it during summer. What we see are photos in newspapers of large tracks of lands severely dried and cracking due to lack of water resulting in heavy agri losses worth billions of pesos.

This wouldn’t be the case if we had an affective water management program. With government assistance, farmers can put water impounding mini dams like what they have in some parts of Cordillera region where small impounding dams mitigate the effects of drought on crops.

During dry season, the Cordillera region has minimal damage on crops because of availability of water from impounding dams in strategic portions of river systems and small dams constructed with the help of government agencies. This ensures continuous supply of irrigation water at the height of drought.

Farmers, should make, as part of farm activities, ponds so they will have water year round. This, at the same time, will help protect their farms in case of floods. – GONZALO CATAN Jr., executive vice president, Mapecon Green Charcoal Philippines, Makati City