Cebu City farmers ready for summer

CEBU, Philippines - Farmers in Cebu City are ready for the impending arrival of El Niño, the city agriculturist assured yesterday.

City agriculturist Joey Baclayon said the farmers here have already undergone training on preparing their crops and animals for the onslaught of the summer months.

“We are campaigning for the preparation… like conserve sa tubig, pagkuan sa tanom, pag- mulch,” he said.

Mulch is a protective covering in plants to maintain moisture.

“Amo sad silang giagni nga mu-report kun naay possible nga kulang sa tubig, makig-coordinate sila sa amo if kulang sa tubig,” Baclayon said.

So far, he said, there is enough water supply in the mountain barangays.

Baclayon said the city aims for farmer associations to establish a “protective culture,” a net house where plants and seeds are being grown with a water tank to ensure adequate water supply. Each house reportedly costs P154,000 to establish. The proposal is now being deliberated upon in the City Council.

There are 56 primary farmers associations with 30 to 150 members each in Cebu City, Baclayon said.

The city has also suggested that farmers plant heat tolerant seeds and encouraged them to make silage for the animals – fodder converted into succulent feed for livestock through processes of anaerobic acid fermentation – and to keep them indoors as much as possible to avoid too much exposure to the sun.

“Nag-campaign sab nga dili igawas ang ilang kahayopan para dili mainitan,” Baclayon added. — (FREEMAN)