Benguet farmers see minimal effect of frost on harvest

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - Despite the frost in the highlands, its effect on vegetables produced in Benguet and several adjacent towns in Mt. Province is minimal.

Augusta Balanoy of the Benguet Vegetable Farmers Cooperative, citing reports from their members, said only five percent of the total production of highland vegetables like potatoes, cabbages, lettuce, carrots and the likes are spoiled by the extreme weather condition in the highland areas.

Earlier,  weather forecaster said the temperature along the so-called “Vegetable Belt” in Benguet has dipped to a low of eight degrees Celcius and even chillier at times.

At least 13 Benguet towns are producing vegetables, Balanoy said, and only a few reported of spoilage from frost.

Frost, which Benguet vegetable farmers regularly contend with, wilts leafy vegetables and prevents them from further growing to their desired size.

Only a few sitios among several towns, Balanoy said, have been affected by the frost.

Vegetable farms in Benguet even have a natural “barrier” against frost because majority of the farms are along sloping areas, hence the natural winds blow precipitation away from the leaves, preventing it to develop into frost when temperature dips.

Several sitios located in flat areas in Atok, Sayangan, Buguias, Kibungan, Bakun and Kapangan are experiencing frost.

Even in these areas, Balanoy said, farmers have  put up measures against low temperatures such as building green houses, installing sprinkler systems and others to fight precipitation on leafy vegetables.

owing to the only minimal effect of frost,  the supply will not be affected, the farmer’s representative added.