The dry spell has not yet affected the cropping of major agricultural products in Negros Oriental, and Provincial Agriculturist Office Research Division chief, Charito Catarata is urging farmers to plant early maturing crops, or drought tolerant rice varieties. Catarata said most of the farmers have already harvested the first and second crops, and the first and second cropping seasons were normal. To mitigate the negative effects of El Niño in agriculture, she said, PAO has advised farmers to plant drought-tolerant varieties of rice. She said the International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute have been developing drought-tolerant varieties of rice suitable for planting. She asked farmers to contact PAO or their Municipal Agriculture Office to inquire and avail of these kinds of varieties. Continue reading...
