The “cold spell” presently experienced in Negros Occidental is favorable for crops, yet, preparations are being made in case a prolonged dry spell hit the province like last year, Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said yesterday.

He said weather conditions have become unpredictable and farmers have learned to adjust and prepare their crops for any eventuality.

The provincial government is also ready to implement mitigating measures like cloud-seeding operations during the summer months to prevent crop damage due to prolonged dry spell, Tabianan said.

He added that the irrigation system in the province is also continually improved to enhance agricultural productivity.

Tabianan said that almost 50,000 hectares of farm lots in the province are already irrigated and they are doubling their efforts to reach their target of 300,000 hectares.

The irrigation highway pushed by Gov. Joseph Marañon is gaining momentum with initial inspection conducted in Don Salvador Benedicto in central Negros, Silay City in the north and Moises Padilla in the south, he said.

This flagship program of the provincial government aims to tap water sources to irrigate farm lots planted with rice, sugarcane and other crops and to develop potable water sources, Tabianan said.

The project also hopes to maximize the water resource of Negros Occidental and use it for industrial purposes such as hydro power, he added.

This year, he said the budget of P6 million has been approved in principle for the pre-engineering survey that will be conducted in line with the irrigation highway program of the provincial government, Tabianan said.*NAB

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