DA: Benguet veggie frost a scheme to 'defraud' buyers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday denied reports that frost is adversely affecting farmers' crops in several towns in Benguet that are experiencing temperature below 10 degrees Celsius.

DA Cordillera regional information officer Robert Domoguen said that farmers can still harvest more than 2,000 tons of produce despite the effects of the icy formations known to locals "andap."

"[Sectors may be] over-reacting to the cold spell in the area or simply making some strategies to claim so much damages caused by the thin film of ice every morning," Domoguen said in a state news report.

He added that reports on the frost are "one way by which they can defraud buyers by claiming enormous losses suffered by our farmers."

Read: Icy 9-degree temperature frosts crops in Benguet town

Frost affects approximately less than one-square kilometer area in Benguet, Domoguen explained.

The spokesman likewise concurred with Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan's observation that the cool atmosphere even contributes to the quality of the produce.
 
 "Consumers know that the vegetables harvested with that kind of irrigation are juicier, crispier, more compact in texture and have better color," he said.
 
The agriculture official also said that Benguet vegetables this season are more saleable due to the positive effects of the overhead irrigation system used by the farmers at this time.