DA chief urges farmers to plant ‘climate change-resistant’ varieties of rice, corn

 By Gideon C. Corgue

BUUG, Zamboanga Sibugay – Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 Regional Director Constancio Alama on Monday has called on the members of Buug Subanenen Workers Association (BSWA) to plant varieties of rice that can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change.

Speaking before a group of indigenous peoples (IP) here, Alama said the DA is now promoting food staples sufficiency program to ensure that every Filipino will have food on his  table.

Alama said farmers should plant rice and other staple crops that can weather the ill effects of climate change. “Our farmers nowadays are greatly affected by the adverse effects of climate change,” he said.

“In climate change, we have nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. If we will not act now, we will become endangered species soon,” Alama stressed adding that our crops could no longer survive due to the extreme weather condition brought about by climate change.

Alama also disclosed that the government has developed rice varieties that are resistant to drought to help farmers cope with the ill effects of climate change.

The International Research and Institute and Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice), he said, has recommended the following rice varieties for the farmers to counteract the threat of the weather phenomenon: “Submarino” rice that can withstand up to seven days of submergence in flooded fields, “salod ulan,” a drought-resistant variety, and Green Super Rice (GSR), another variety that can withstand drought and diseases.

Alama encouraged also the IPs to avail themselves of financial assistance and interventions of the government by forming a group. “We required farmers to form a group and have it registered with the government to have a juridical personality,” Alama told the group, as DA would only extend financial assistance to registered groups.

Meanwhile, BSWA president Timuay Jocelyn Chua was very grateful to DA for granting the group some financial assistance.

“Dako ang among utang kabubut-on sa mga ahensya sa kagamhanan nga mitabang ilabi na gayud sa DA sa hinabang pinansyal nga gihatag sa among kapunungan. Pinaagi sa ilang tabang ang BSWA epektibo nga naglihok karon isip usa ka kapunugan,” said Chua.

(We owe debt of gratitude to the agencies of the government especially the DA for extending financial assistance to our organization. With this help, BSWA is now working effectively as an organization.)(PIA IX) 100714)