BACOLOD City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 has approved the conduct of cloud seeding operations in Negros Occidental.
Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, assistant director for DA-6, confirmed that cloud seeding operations in the province will possibly start next week or early June.
Cloud seeding operation aims to improve agricultural productivity and mitigate the effects of drought in the province. DA said it involves releasing substances such as salt or silver iodide into clouds to enhance its ability to produce precipitation.
Barrogo, in an interview yesterday, said while they have observed the presence of rain clouds in the province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasted that Negros Occidental will continue to experience below normal rainfall levels.
But, he added that they have seen seedable clouds, and cloud seeding operations could induce rains.
The DA-6 assistant director stressed that cloud seeding operation is not intended to create artificial rain, but rather to enhance the natural process of precipitation.
He also assured that DA-6 director Dennis Arpia was as the central office yesterday to follow-up on the budget for cloud seeding operations.
When asked about the effectiveness of cloud seeding, Barrogo clarified that it is not a magic solution that can produce rain instantly.
“Kay kung nakita ninyo ang ano lang man sang cloud seeding is to enhance sang ulan. Kung lantawon naton naga-ulan matuod pero pila lang ka minutos,” he explained.
Last month, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province would consider cloud seeding to counter the dry spell affecting crops, particularly sugarcane, in the province.
“That is always an option, when there is a long drought we always request for cloud seeding. Maybe the time is also good now because as you can experience, there is rain clouds. In fact, we also experience some rainfall,” he added.
As May 20, the agricultural damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon in Negros Occidental has reached a staggering P318 million.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed that the damage to rice crops was at P298,474,128.14, affecting 8,431 farmers tilling 6,015 hectares of land in 28 local government units (LGUs).
Corn damage was at 8,346,482.26, affecting 280 farmers tilling 189.29 hectares of land in 12 LGUs, the report added.
Fisheries also suffered damage at P3,556,022, affecting 34 fisherfolk in six LGUs. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
