San Emilio, Ilocos Sur—Farmers here are fighting the adverse effects of climate change by practicing climate-resilient agriculture.
“Farmers here grow native pigs which are more resistant to the impact of climate change compared to white exotic pigs. Native pigs can also survive on farm waste foods which are available in their areas,” said Senior Research Specialist 2 Jane Alcedo from DA Region 1.
Alcedo is also the project leader of DA Bureau of Agricultural Research-funded research Community-based Action Research for Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) in Region 1, a pilot project in the region.
Local farmers plant root crops “because these crops are drought resistant, and minimize soil erosion,” she added.
During typhoons, the price of root crops and vegetables is very low, or worse the produce just rots, so farmers use them as raw materials for making chips, Alcedo said. The added value of their agriculture yields gives the farmers additional income.
“The cropping calendar here is rice and then tobacco or corn or vegetable. However, due to drought, we introduced soybean following rice. But that it is just in the testing period,” she said.
Julia Lapitan, DA BAR Applied Communication Division head, said the department launched the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture in 2014 to enable agriculture and fishery sectors manage climate risks while pursuing sustainable livelihoods.
“AMIA develops and promotes climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) through implementing technologies and practices, introducing institutional and social innovations, and accessing climate-relevant support services,” she said.