DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P2.3 million for cloud seeding operations in southern Mindanao as part of the contingency and adaptation measures for the onset of El Niño in June.
Cloud seeding, or the dropping of salt crystals on the clouds to cause rains, shall be done in the middle of June in areas where drought-vulnerable crops are grown.
The DA Region XI office would hire an aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, which charges P28,000 to P30,000 per hour of flying. The total flying time for the cloud seeding is 50 hours.
The DA shall also set the validation of existing crops, especially in Davao Oriental and Davao City, which are expected to be hard hit by the dry season.
Another proposed measure is the utilization of the Alternate Wetting and Drying Technology, where release of water from irrigation is controlled to save water.
The DA also ensured the repairs and rehabilitation of small water impounding systems and small reservoirs in preparation for the adverse effects of El Niño.
The agency is also urging farmers to plant crops that could endure drought such as root crops like mongo, peanuts and other kinds of legumes.