PUDTOL, Apayao – In a collaborative effort to revitalize agricultural lands and protect vital ecosystems, irrigators-farmers in Pudtol Apayao recently participated in a large-scale replanting project.
A total of 323 rambutan and coffee seedlings were planted across the Watershed Areas for Irrigation Systems (WAAIS) on December 5, 2024 in Barangay Cacalaggan and Malibang in Pudtol town.
This initiative was pushed after significant damage on trees in the municipality were incurred during the recent typhoons.
The replanting activity was not merely about replacing lost trees, it was a crucial step towards restoring the overall health of the watershed, said the irrigators.
The project aims to address several critical environmental challenges. Replanting will help prevent soil erosion and flooding, both significant threats to the province’s agricultural productivity and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the restoration of the WAAIS irrigation system, according to the irrigators, is expected to enhance water sustainability, ensuring a reliable water supply for the future agricultural activities.
For the farmers, the replanting effort is also a significant investment in their livelihoods. The rambutan and coffee trees represent a future source of income, providing a crucial economic boost to communities that heavily rely on the watershed’s resources.
The farmers stressed the importance of this collective action in ensuring food security for their families and long-term prosperity of the province. The successful replanting symbolizes the community’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. By Krizza Joy Castillo
