Benguet: Incumbent mayor and Provincial Board member-elect Romeo Salda expressed his support for a proposed ordinance on crop programming and rotation systems aimed at addressing the issues of oversupply and shortage of highland vegetable products.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Melchor Diclas has requested municipal agriculturists to provide data and inventory of areas within their municipalities to better understand the production levels and areas involved. This information will be crucial in implementing crop rotation and programming strategies to prevent simultaneous planting of the same crops, which leads to oversupply, or undersupply when certain commodities are neglected.

Salda emphasized the importance of having comprehensive data on crop production areas to pursue the ordinance effectively. He clarified that the intention is not to restrict municipalities or specific planting areas from cultivating high-value crops, but rather to manage the quantities produced to stabilize market prices.

Using carrots as an example, Salda highlighted the frequent issue of oversupply. He suggested that if one area plants carrots, other regions should focus on different commodities to avoid price drops that adversely affect farmers' earnings.

Drawing from his nine-year experience as mayor of the capital town, where multiple vegetable trading facilities operate, Salda noted that the local government often assists farmers unable to sell their excess produce. This support includes buying unsold vegetables or providing resources for their return journey to minimize losses.

Salda also pointed out the benefits of crop rotation in maintaining soil nutrients, thus reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. He recalled instances during past Decembers when vegetables lacked buyers despite favorable prices and high potential sales.

He reiterated the necessity of establishing an ordinance to prevent such recurring problems, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable agricultural sector in the region.