DAVAO CITY (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture in Region 11 is readying for the coming of a possible El Niño induced dry spell in the latter part of this year.

Among these preparatory interventions include, introduction of drought tolerant varieties of crops, expanded irrigation areas, intensified campaign on the enrollment of crop insurance, information education campaign of water saving techniques, buffer stocking seeds and pesticides.

“Then we have this seasonal climate advisory and farm outlook advisory mao na siya ang gina-panghatag sa  para mainform atong farmers (these are given to inform our farmers),” says Joedel Leliza DA-11, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction focal.

Other interventions include open surface pumps and spring development projects.

The PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration) in its climate outlook said that an El Niño is possible to occur after June or the latter part of this year.

“After June taas ang probability na magkakaroon ng El Niño,” said PAGASA Davao Station chief meterological officer Lolita Vinalay during her guesting at Kapihan sa PIA on Jan. 20.

“Our office DOST PAGASA will issue El Niño watch it means 50% ang chance na magkakaroon ng El Niño then El Niño advisory kung magkakaroon na talaga ng El Niño, mararamdaman na natin ang impact,” Vinalay said.

For DA, the interventions to prepare for El Niño is already in the regular budget according to Leliza.

“We have it under our regular budget in the Department of Agriculture,” Leliza said. (PIA/RG Alama)