Crop Yields Decline Due To Climate Change

Global warming was to be blamed at large for losses in the production of most high value vegetable crops in the Visayas region.

This was disclosed by the High Value Vegetable Crops (HVVC) regional coordinator of the Department of Agriculture Dr. Veronica Beringuer.

Beringuer stressed that changes in the weather patterns due to climate change have affected the production rate of priority crops in some areas in the Eastern Visayas during the first quarter of this year.

The Department of Agriculture classified mango, banana, pineapple, vegetables and coffee as the five priority crops.

“Because of climate change, farmers have losses in their farms because their areas are also vulnerable to destructive typhoons and bad weather. It seems that climate change is the number one cause of low production,” Beringuer claimed.

During the first quarter, it was recorded that mango production had dropped to 12.45% from last year’s 24%; pineapple with 1.07% from 3% last year’s growth rate; coffee with -9.4% compared to last year’s 6%. The same also to vegetables that posts decline in the production.

Mango, which is one of the leading crops in the region in terms of production, were also affected by climate change.

“One process to boost the production in mango is through flower induction. However, since this year has most rainy seasons, the chemicals that are used in the process are drained because of rain,” Beringuer disclosed.

The banana that covers more than 30,000 hectares in the region compared to other HVVC even without a designed plantation is also affected of unexpected change in the climate. It posts 4.6% in the first quarter compared to last year’s 16% of production yield.

“Although, bananas are not uprooted with destructive typhoon and heavy rain, still its production and growth are affected,” Beringuer said.

The DA official said that farmers would have earned more if not because of climate change.

It was reported that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap told the affected segments in the agriculture sectors to include mitigating measures to climate change in DA’s action plans to adopt on its adverse consequences.

By Leyte Samar Daily

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