Info dissemination vital to curb climate change

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) underscored the importance of proper and timely information dissemination to farmers and fisherfolks in preparation for the adverse effects of climate change.

This involves forecasts on temperature range and rainfall amount, as well as advisories as bases for farmers’ choice on what to plant and when to plant in specific areas.

“We could then apply the proper available technologies and adaptation measures through our extension services depending on the climate change threats which are very location specific,” DA-Climate Change Office director Alicia Ilaga said.

Crops are sensitive to extreme environmental conditions including high temperature and low soil moisture that may lead to lower yield of rice, corn and vegetables.

For the fisheries sector, Ilaga said corals would expel the algae living in their tissues causing the coral to turn white when seawater gets too warm or called coral bleaching that can cause coral mortality.

“It could possibly leave our fish without a place to breed, and the production of the fisheries sector would surely be affected,” she added.

Furthermore, Ilaga said insurance and availability of loans to farmers and fisherfolks are vital so that they can immediately recover after being devastated by the effects of the changing climate conditions.

“We will need replacement seeds and water harvesting facilities. Funds are needed to support tested and appropriate adaptation measures,” she said.

Meanwhile, DA’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture is in the process of making an integrated map that will show the impact of slow onset temperature and rainfall changes, weather extremes and existing hazards for specific locations up to the barangays.

“Using integrated maps and weather trends, we will be able to study which technology is appropriate in every area. The work is still in progress and this will be available this year,” Ilaga said.