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| A protective structure at a vegetable farm in Ormoc, a technique taught by VSU. |
VISAYAS State University (VSU) has tied up with the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for a project that aims to protect high value commercial crops from the negative effects of heavy rainfall and strong winds. The technology is now adopted by the local government units (LGU) of Ormoc, Baybay and Maasin Cities.
“The concept is they have to protect the plant from rain and strong winds usig bamboos and transparent plastic,” VSU President Jose Bacusmo said. “We have other sophisticated ways to protect crops from weather adversities but the protective structure in this project is very affordable and the materials are widely available.
ACIARE finances the project while VSU provides the manpower and forge linkages with LGUs. At least 50 units are planned to be set up in Baybay alone. “It was proven that the technology works. It has been applied in many parts of the country but it was not implemented here before. We need it here especially that rain is frequent in our place,” Bacusmo explained.
Prof. Gordon Rogers of University of Sydney said Leyte was prioritized because of its heavy rainfall. “It helps to maintain production of crops during wet season. It’s difficult to produce good crops during this season,” he said. This cropping technique is very appropriate here, he adds, considering extreme weather condition decreases vegetable output. A protective structure is needed as safeguard against extreme weather conditions.
Bacusmo said they allow farmers to build their own protective structure using bamboos and plastics. Protective cultivation is a cropping technique wherein the micro-climate surrounding the plant body is controlled according to the requirement of the species during its period of growth. The German International Cooperation Agency is interested in expanding the project to other areas in Leyte.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Apr. 18-24, 2011)
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