DA-12 ready for the dry spell, takes steps to cushion impact

KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Agriculture in Central Minanao said it is ready for the long dry spell that already hit the region.DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said her office has prepared drought resistant agricultural products as assistance to farmers who will suffer the brunt of extreme heat. Among them are heat resistant rice seedlings, vegetable seedlings and legumes.DA is mulling to conduct cloud seeding operations although agriculture officials are convinced this is expensive. Datukan assured local government units her office is prepared to extend assistance should the need arises. South Cotabato and Saraggani are two provinces in Region 12 that are vulnerable to drought.She advised farmers whose products have been damaged by the dry spellto coordinate with their respective municipal and provincial agriculture offices for assistance.