More than PHP4 million worth of fertilizers and soil conditioners, including a brush cutter and seven units of knapsack sprayers, were distributed to farmers in this city on Thursday as they joined the government’s soil restoration program to promote food security.

Farmers associations here committed to rehabilitating their farmlands as they gradually shift to organic farming.

“We encourage our farmers to take good care of the soil and plant high-value crops to improve their productivity,” Luz Ortal, head of the Sustainable Development Center (SDC) under the Ilocos Norte government, said during the distribution held at the Laoag City Central Terminal.

She noted that farmers have better chances to earn more by planting early maturing plants, such as lowland vegetables, instead of planting rice, which requires a lot of water to sustain its growth.

In support of the farmers, the SDC is leading the distribution of various production inputs to all eligible farmers in the province.

Under the Agri Ka Dito! Program of the Ilocos Norte government, all eligible farmers can send their request through hotlines 0916-441-9914 or 0969-290-5489, or e-mail at [email protected], or visit the Provincial Agriculture Office or the SDC in Barangay 2, this city.

Soil testing was earlier conducted in various parts of the province to help farmers identify the crops suitable to be planted in a certain parcel of agricultural land.

A color-coded soil fertility map is being popularized among farmers in the province for them to be well-informed about the level of soil fertility, and what to do about it.

This map can also be used for other crops but with the guidance of agricultural extension workers who can compute the fertilizer requirement of a particular crop. They can also consult the nearest soil laboratory.

Ortal reported that to minimize the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to directly hit the province, more small water-impounding dams and solar-powered irrigation systems are in the pipeline to ensure a reliable water supply.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the El Niño alert status as it expects the weather phenomenon to emerge in the coming months with below-normal rainfall conditions.

“Recent conditions and model forecasts indicate that El Niño may emerge in the coming season at 80 percent probability and may persist until the first quarter of 2024,” it said in a statement. (PNA)