DA assures stable vegetable supply

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that there is enough domestic supply of upland vegetables despite the frosting of vegetables in Benguet.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has instructed the  DA field offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to monitor the frosting of vegetables in several barangays in Benguet to prevent its re-occurrence.

Affected by frosting were Paoay, Atok and Madaymen in Kibungan, Benguet.

The DA said it is now preparing alternative sources of upland vegetables for Metro Manila such as Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces to keep prices stable.

DA-CAR director Marilyn Sta. Catalina reported that frost affected around three hectares of potato and cabbage farms in the three barangays as temperature fell to nine degrees Celsius.

Of the total affected areas, only one-fourth of an hectare was totally damaged.

Night frosting was first observed on Dec. 30 and worsened the following day, said Sta. Catalina.

Known locally as andap, frosting is the development of moisture into ice crystals on plants. When not immediately watered, affected crops would wilt as the sun melts the deposited ice.

The extreme temperature leaves the affected plants brownish until they die.

“Frosting or the formation of ice crystals is a regular episode in these high altitude areas, so farmers know what to do,” said Sta. Catalina.

“These normal occurrences have taught Cordillera farmers mitigation measures such as water sprinkling. They also adjust the schedule of planting, which is why they were able to harvest most of their crops ahead of the frost occurrence.”

Benguet province produces nearly three-fourths of Metro Manila’s supply of semi-temperate vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, beans and pechay.

Last year, the DA earmarked P2.4 million for the construction of a small water impounding facility and several units of power sprayers in the town of Atok which was heavily affected by frost.