AS CEBU City farmers anticipate the occurrence of drought, they are hoping for more assistance from City Hall, such as additional machineries to pump out water for farming.
While commending the City Agriculture Department (CAD) for its preparations for a possible El Niño phenomenon, Alliance of Cebu City Farmers Association head Casimero Pilones told SunStar Cebu on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, that farmers need water pumps.
Pilones said the efforts of the CAD are doing good for the farmers, but it would be best if the City add to their water containers since their current water drums are not enough.
Pilones, whose farm is located in the mountain barangay of Paril, said that while there are insufficient water containers and no water pumps yet, they only rely on the water irrigation system that sometimes cannot reach the upper areas.
He expressed fears that when the El Niño phenomenon hits, farmers will not be able to plant crops since the current water supply cannot support their farming.
In a previous SunStar report, Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas, said while the El Niño phenomenon only has a 30 percent chance of occurring this 2025, the probability may change.
Water storage
CAD chief Arleigh Gesta said on Friday, Jan. 31, that they had started to distribute water drums and hoses to farmers in areas with water sources.
Farmers in upland barangays are also creating their own water impounding areas to collect runoff from creeks.
The CAD will also continue its programs, including crop production extension, livestock production, alternative marketing, nursery production, reforestation, institutional development, urban agriculture and food security initiatives.
The CAD is also updating farmer profiles to ensure that all registered farmers receive assistance.
Gesta said around 1,000 farmers have been added to the registry system for basic sectors in agriculture, bringing the total to 10,976 registered farmers.
He recalled that some unregistered farmers did not receive additional rice aid last year.
To avoid a repeat of the problem, the CAD is going from barangay to barangay to update records.
The CAD also launched an information campaign to guide farmers on suitable crops to plant.
Gesta advised them to avoid crops with long growing periods and plant those that can be harvested within 45 days to reduce costs.
Effects
In 2024, the El Niño caused severe agricultural losses in Cebu City.
The drought affected 10,000 farmers, with 1,047 farmers suffering direct losses in April last year.
Water shortages forced the City Government to declare a water crisis on April 1.
While farmers struggled as less than 20 out of 44 irrigation facilities remained functional.
The Cebu City Government placed 28 hinterland villages under a state of calamity in March due to El Niño’s impact.
To mitigate losses, the CAD trained farmers on water conservation and identified new water sources for irrigation last year. The agency also provided emergency food assistance, including rice and groceries.
Despite these efforts, some farmers criticized the delayed response from the government.
They called for better coordination and faster aid distribution.
Also in April last year, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. accused then CAD chief Joselito Baclayon of failing to come up with plans to address the plight of farmers.
Nationwide, the El Niño phenomenon, which started on July 4, 2023, was one of the strongest on record.
Pagasa said it was the fifth-most powerful globally and caused P2.63 billion in agricultural losses. The main crops affected were rice and corn, leading to food insecurity.
The weather bureau declared the end of the El Niño phenomenon on June 7, 2024. (JPS, CDF)
In Cebu City, farmers are facing challenges in meeting the demands of their growing agricultural industry. With limited access to modern machinery and equipment, many farmers are struggling to keep up with the competition.
In a recent survey conducted by the Cebu City Farmers Association, it was found that the majority of farmers expressed a need for more machineries to improve their productivity and efficiency. From tractors to harvesters, farmers are looking for ways to mechanize their operations and increase their yield.
One farmer, Juan dela Cruz, shared his frustrations about the lack of machinery available to him. “I have been farming for years, but without proper equipment, I am unable to maximize my output. It’s time for the government to support us by providing us with the tools we need to succeed,” he said.
The Cebu City Farmers Association is now calling on the local government to invest in more machineries for the agricultural sector. They believe that by providing farmers with the necessary equipment, they can help boost the city’s economy and ensure food security for its residents.
As the demand for agricultural products continues to rise, it is crucial for farmers in Cebu City to have access to modern machinery to meet these demands. By investing in machineries, the city can support its farmers and help them thrive in today’s competitive market.
Tags:
- Cebu City farmers
- agriculture in Cebu City
- farming equipment
- agricultural machinery
- farm technology
- mechanization in agriculture
- Cebu City agriculture industry
- enhancing farm productivity
- agricultural innovation
- modernizing farming practices
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