TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Office for the City Agricultural Services (OfCAS) reports that 1,738 corn farmers were affected by drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
According to Johnny Layao, the corn coordinator OfCAS, agricultural damage is particularly visible in Cudal, Calaccad, Gobgob, Magnao, Guilayon, and Nambucayan, among the 43 barangays.
Layao stated that the OfCAS’s consolidated assessment on damage to corn output revealed that only 20-40% of the planted corn reached maturity and was collected.
This is significantly lower than prior years, when corn farmers harvested 80-90 percent of the crop, Layao added.
He likewise said the drought, which drastically reduced local corn production, had evident effects on crop quality, including stunted growth, pest infestation, smaller kernels, and smaller cobs.
The average output per hectare is 70-80 bags. If the corn is moist, 70 kilos per bag is produced, while dry corn yields 59.5 kilos per sack.
For corn farmers, the dry season is from October to March; while the rainy season is from April to September.
Concerns about the lack of rain and water sources in some agricultural farms have prompted the OfCAS to suggest a short-term mitigation service from the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) in the form of water pump distribution.
The OfCAS will also continue to conduct monitoring and validation of the extent of damage for referral to the DA-CAR and the Office for the Provincial Agricultural Services for rehabilitation programs and services for affected farmers and drought affected corn farms.
The agency advises people that a severe drought during the corn reproductive stage can result in crop failure. Thus, knowing corn drought reactions and regulating accordingly is crucial for successful corn production. By Darwin S. Serion
