ILOILO City – There’s not much activity in Western Visayas’ farmlands for now or in the next few weeks as the dry season sets in, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 6.
Jimmy Eledia Jr., DA-6’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management focal person, said the harvest season ended around January until last month.
There were a few rice farmers, though, who harvest in March, especially those with irrigated farms.
Between March and April, some rice farmers also practice dry seeding while waiting for the wet season to come about.
Other farmers, meantime, are planting alternative crops like vegetables and root crops.
“Wala ta ya problema kay patapos na ang cropping season kag daw pabor sia ya subong sa naga-alternative crops kon mag ulan-ulan pa,” said Eledio.
As of now, Eledio said the DA-6 is preparing for the next cropping in May.
This includes the continuous implementation of their different programs and interventions such as the Seeds Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which is open for registered farmers, as well as the agency’s corn program.
WARM, DRY SEASON
Dry season may not be here quite yet, but what’s best than getting ready to battle heat stress? The state weather bureau is advising Filipinos to take extra care as warm and dry weather conditions may be here soon.
In a statement released recently, Administrator Vicente Malano of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the cold or Northeast Monsoon season will likely be over by the end of this week.
The prevailing weather condition over the country signifies the eventual coming of warm and dry season, he noted.
A gradual increase in daily temperature over most parts of the country has also been observed by several Pagasa stations, Malano added.
Wind and pressure analyses also indicate the slowly shifting direction of prevailing winds from northeasterly to easterly, the weakening of the high-pressure area in mainland Asia, and the gradual strengthening of the North Pacific High.
“In the coming days, the number of dry and warm days across the country will gradually increase, through isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur, especially in the afternoon or evening hours,” he added.
BEAT THE HEAT
Stay hydrated. This was Pagasa’s advice to the public.
“Optimize also your daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption, and prevent any accompanying health risks associated with this climate condition,” it added.
Meanwhile, Malano added that although the ongoing La Niña is weakening, it may still affect some parts of the country, which may significantly result in above normal rainfall conditions this month./PN
