We find it very reassuring, while our hearts bleed for those affected by driving rains, floods, mudslide and erosion in Ifugao in the Cordillera Administrative Region, that there would be enough supply of highland vegetables based on daily consumption.
Preliminary reports have suggested some P14.6 million in damage, which reflects a 728 metric tons volume production loss, putting nearly 690 farmers affected with a total agriculture are of 198 hectares.
The Department of Agriculture is now preparing to distribute assistance to the affected farmers, the aid to include rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; financial help under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council.
Assistance also includes indemnity from available funds from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation as well as cash support from the Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
The Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center has advised farmers to harvest matured crops and make use of postharvest facilities, as well as secure seed reserves, planting materials and other fafrm inputs, including feed and water for livestock.
It also recommended the relocation of animals, machineries and equipment to higher ground as well as the clearing of drainage and irrigation.
The assurance by the DA to the public that highland agricultural products, including vegetables like carrots, will come in abundant supply and within a steady price range, is certainly encouraging.
Officials in the DA-CAR have said the government is continuously implementing measures to address the long-time problem of vegetable wastage and spoilage by helping market the products through linkages and market development, aside from aiding in the transport of the products.
They said the DA is supporting the marketing, selling, transport, and processing of agricultural products.
At the same time, the DA has allotted an amount for the construction of a structure where processing equipment will be housed, and for the distribution of several delivery trucks to cooperatives and farmers’ associations that members can avail of.
Heartening that the DA has been helping farmers bring their produce to the markets within and outside the region through the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita.
Figures from the DA show a total of 65,555 metric tons of agricultural produce amounting to P4,281,889 have been sold through the Kadiwa from January to May this year.
It is worth noting that small vegetable farmers that do not have transport vehicles are also provided with logistics support through the farmer’s cooperatives and associations.