The city agriculturist here has encouraged farmers to plant alternative crops through by following the city government’s crops diversification project to avoid over-supply of their products, particularly on vegetable production.
City Agriculture Officer Eduvijis Flores’s observation was in reaction to some vegetable farmers who tend to produce surplus of just a single crop resulting to less net earnings although cheaper for consumers.
“What if, calamities struck and all their crops destroyed? Their investments would have gone to naught,” Flores said, however admitted that there is lack of vegetable products for the entire city consumption.
It is recalled that last year, rice farmers here were adversely affected triggered by a long dry spell. It was then that Mayor Pablo Ortega and the city and provincial agricultural offices advised them to plant alternative crops such as legume seedlings and other vegetable crops which could withstand dry spells.
Farmers were also told to try planting vegetables during its off-seasons. Barangay Puspus and Abut, after an integrated management farmers’ field school on vegetables, planted tomatoes during the rainy season, which was initially not advisable for tomato growers due to the high costs of expenses. The new technology proved positive results, according to Flores.
Flores also confirmed that they have also identified and presently validating barangays that are sources of water irrigation facilities through the erection and use of Ferro-cement water tanks or the Small Water Impounding Project, supported by the city government, Rotary Club and other agencies and has also proposals to make barangays adopt a “Malunggay Avenue” project. |
