LAGAWE, IFUGAO—Sure, the utilization of crop seeds will spell increased yields, says former Asipulo mayor Eladio Bang-ud, now a farmer at Barangay Pula, but its better to first focus on the irrigation system as it just created the exact condition to seek assistance from the national government for the construction of one.
Even before super typhoon Uwan brought its devastation to this barangay and throughout Ifugao, farmers already felt the effects on the lack of irrigation problem. Not long after the Uwan wrath in December of last year, farmers of Purok Mun-awat in this farming village are still hampered by this problem only worsened by other factors such as lack of cold storage.
The problem is that nearly 90 percent of what farmers produce end up in spoilage or damaged by insects or pests before it gets to market or being harvested.
“Vegetable production losses are huge, making it no longer viable to plant them in our terraces and gardens,” Bang-ud said.
Not surprisingly, thousands of cabbages are rotten and unharvested at vast tracks of farm lots at this rugged upland purok. Not only that, rice crops also are in the same predicament.
This is a major concern of Punong Barangay Marlon Dallig and Kagawad (councilman) Andres Puguon, chairman of the agriculture, environment and natural resources and tourism committees.
Efforts by farmers’ organizations to get assistance from the national government, meant that, in time, a large number of soil tillers, came to survive on subsistence farming. The barangay, municipal and provincial government all have limited resources for relief. Therefore, any support is so little.
The downside to this is that there is zero growth in agriculture. Eventually, the trend would give the impression on people, most especially the young, that there is no future on farming. Many left their farms in search of “greener pastures” in urban areas.
Nonetheless, the Pula barangay council assured folks that the needs of farmers are being prioritized.
Vegetable gardens are said to be one of the most effective ways to raise crops in lieu of damaged terraces. Yet, these gardens are in need of adequate water too.
Irrigation used to be an important agenda in elections. Irrigators association invested a lot of their trust and confidence on moneyed politicians only to see their fields dry up. Irrigators associations refer to non-sectarian, non-stock and non-profit organization of farmers.
At this upland village, journalist Anthony Araos- who spoke during the fiesta, stressed that better infrastructure in agriculture such as irrigation system and farm-to-market road shall allow the Pula Barangay Council to better serve the people, particularly in these crucial times.
“There is a pressing need to take decisive actions and measures from the government to protect farmers,” Araos said.
“Construction of a communal irrigation system shall result in increased production and income,” he added.
Araos also met separately kagawads Dennis Dincog and Joel Pinhikan as well as Sangguniang Kabataan chair Divine Ahingwa. More than giving a “short” inspirational message, it became a defining moment for the farming sector, amplifying a resonating voice and affirming its promising future. He told the two young kagawads: “It helps the farmers do his work by constructing the irrigation system and farm-to-market road.”
If realized, this would put the problem a thing of the past and such proactive stance shall support efforts to stimulate the local economy. **By Anthony A. Araos
