Central Visayas to benefit from La Niña

Region 7 is set to benefit from the La Niña phenomenon compared to other regions, according to Department of Agriculture regional director Eduardo Lecciones.

Lecciones in an interview with The FREEMAN during the 2nd Meeting on the Asean Standards for Horticultural Produce said that the geographical and topographical nature of Central Visayas does not pose danger to the agricultural sector particularly crop production.

Lecciones said areas in Central Visayas do not get easily flooded compared with other regions.

Production of corn and rice, which are the top produce of the region, is expected to increase with the La Niña, as planting season comes earlier this year.

Compared with the previous years or the natural corn and rice production cycle, harvesting and planting is done in May where rains are expected to arrive after the hot or dry season.

This year, as the Philippines experiences rain a day after the other, planting is done as early as March.

"The Panuig Crop which is done in May can now be done this month," Lecciones said.

Aside from this, La Niña is saving farmers and the government a lot of money in the bringing of water into the farmlands during very hot months, February to April.

Bohol, according to Lecciones, was tremendously affected with the hot season. In coordination with the Philippine Air Force, constant cloud seeding was conducted to produce rain clouds. - Ferliza C. Contratista