Farmers here told to brace for effects of 'mild El Niño'

The Department of Agriculture-7 has warned farmers to brace themselves for the effect of the "mild El Niño that is now starting to occur here in the region."

DA-7 director Eduardo Lecciones yesterday said that the farmers should now start planting crops that could be immediately harvested.

Lecciones issued the warning to farmers after the Pag-asa national office forwarded an advisory to the DA-7 office of the start of the so-called mild El Niño in the region.

Among the areas here in Central Visayas that have now reportedly started to experience this weather phenomenon are southern Cebu, western Bohol, and a portion of the Negros area.

Lecciones added that they also have started issuing the advisory to the different offices of the DA in every municipality so farmers would be able to prepare.

Though the effect has not yet been felt, as crops are not affected yet because rain falls from time to time with the experienced intertropical convergence zone in the Visayas area, farmers should not be lenient in facing this situation, Lecciones stressed.

"Kinahanglan nga naa tay mitigating measures niana kay this is not the first time nga naka-experience ta aning init-init, so at least atong mga counterparts - the LGUs, atong mga provincial coordinating offices - will have to be reactivated ug atong ipabalik og pahinumdum nga ang usa sa pagsagang niani is the planting of early maturing varieties, kanang sayo nga maani sama sa mga vegetables, mongo, beans and some green leafy vegetables ug ubang klase sa mais ug humay kay duna man usab uban ana nga mga early maturing varieties," he said.

The Pag-asa advisory dated October 16 listed Northern and Western Luzon, Northern Panay, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Caraga provinces Davao Oriental, eastern part of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato as some other areas affected by the so-called "mild El Niño". - Flor Z. Perolina