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La
Niña is back and PCARRD is gearing up its information drive.
One of its information
sources is the book ENSO Mitigating Measures, a compendium of technologies
applicable to both El Niño and La Niña events.
Previous La
Niña episodes damaged the country’s agriculture and
natural resources. Standing crops were washed out and fertile agricultural
soils were eroded. It also caused postharvest problems to the grain
sector, particularly in its storage and drying operations.
PCARRD is therefore
encouraging farmers to adopt soil conservation technologies such
as constructing bench terraces to reduce the risks along high slopes,
planting vetiver grass, practicing alley cropping with the use of
hedgerows, covercropping, mulching, and planting on waterways.
Vetiver grass
is an effective barrier to soil erosion because of its massive root
system while hedgerows can be effective biophysical barriers, trapping
sediments and slowing down surface runoff.
PCARRD is also
promoting the adoption of floating gardens in flood-prone or swampy
areas as well as the use of flood-resistant crops and other cropping
systems.
For low-lying
rice fields and farms affected by saltwater, the Sorjan system of
managing salt intrusion is applicable. The Sorjan system involves
alternate cropping, spaced at one meter, of upland and lowland crops
such as coconuts, grains, and vegetables.
The Council
also sees the need to make grain dryers and storage facilities available
as prolonged wet conditions may impede the drying and storage of
grains and other crops. Proper monitoring of grain stock conditions
and quality will be needed throughout the stages of postproduction
operations. (Ofelia F. Domingo, S&T Media Service)
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