TAGUM CITY—With food aid from international donors expected to dwindle in typhoon-hit Compostela Valley, provincial officials have asked local farmers to plant more corn and root crops to ensure food supply.
“We have to prioritize our food crops in preparation for the eventual stoppage of food donations from [the United Nations] to our typhoon-affected communities, particularly farmers,” said provincial agriculturist Rolando Simene.
Compostela Valley, Simene said, is aiming to revitalize its corn production, even as farmlands and banana plantations destroyed by Typhoon “Pablo” in December last year are being rehabilitated by the local agriculture sector.
The typhoon devastated about 5,000 hectares, or at least 30 percent, of the province’s rice-producing areas and some 10,000 ha of banana plantations, according to Simene.
About P1.2 billion has been earmarked by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the rebuilding of the farming sector in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental, according to the agency’s regional technical director, Bernadette San Juan. The DA has also provided manpower, equipment and other logistics to help in the rehabilitation efforts.
Officials said food dole-outs from the UN and other foreign organizations could only last up to six months and that the storm victims would have to fend for themselves.
Simene said 600 ha of land are now ready for corn planting though a paltry from the 15,000-ha target before Pablo. He said he hoped corn production could further expand to 25,000 ha, the same size set in past years when many farmers were yet to shift to planting bananas for export.
“We anticipate the increase [in corn production] and will possibly have a substantial harvest by midyear,” the provincial agriculturist said.
With seeds already provided to the farmers, the DA expected some 10,000 ha to be planted with white corn and an equal size with yellow corn starting this year.
Corn cultivation, according to Simene, would also give the farmers an immediate source of income, aside from being an excellent source of an alternative to rice.
Other regional field units of the DA are assisting in the clearing and rehabilitation of farms in the two typhoon-affected provinces.
In Compostela Valley, a team dubbed Task Force Alayon (Assistance) from South Cotabato and Sarangani helped farmers plow rice fields in both lowland and upland areas in the towns of Compostela, New Bataan and Monkayo. Eight tractors have also been used to rehabilitate 523 ha in the three municipalities since Dec. 19.
“We’re glad to help all the farmers here get back on their feet, even if it meant leaving our respective families for over two months,” said Chito dela Cruz, Task Force Alayon team leader.
The team wrapped up its mission in Compostela Valley last week.
Jerry Barayoga, president of the Compostela Valley farmers’ federation, said the task force had eased the farmers’ burden by reducing costs of land preparation, which normally amounted to P15,000 per hectare.
“Now, we can already start planting again,” Barayoga said.