Accra:Ilocos Norte As the threat of El Niño raises concerns over water availability and agricultural production, farmers in Ilocos Norte are turning to collective action to sustain food production through a 320-hectare clustered farming initiative backed by the government.
According to Philippines News Agency, Chonito Baldovi, Provincial High Value Crops Development Program coordinator of Ilocos Norte, stated the initiative benefits around 2,000 farmers across the province. These farmers have vowed to cultivate a wider area of farmland through coordinated agricultural activities, aiming to improve productivity, maximize available resources, and strengthen the province's food security.
Even before the "very strong" El Niño threat, several farmers' groups in the province had already been practicing clustered farming. Baldovi mentioned that onion seeds have been distributed for sowing to clustered farmers, with other inputs to follow. The provincial government of Ilocos Norte allocates funds annually to protect farmers' livelihoods and ensure community access to food despite changing weather conditions.
This year, approximately PHP27 million has been allocated by the Ilocos Norte government for farmers engaged in clustered farming. Priority crops include garlic, onion, mango, watermelon, mungbean, and peanut, covering different hectare allocations. Baldovi emphasized that producing food requires patience, hard work, and a close understanding of the land, especially when prolonged dry spells threaten crops.
Clustered farming encourages farmers to work collectively rather than managing production alone. By organizing farmland into clusters, farmers can coordinate their activities and utilize agricultural resources more efficiently. This approach allows government agencies to deliver technical assistance and other support more effectively. Through collective planning, farmers can coordinate planting schedules, share knowledge, and adopt local farming practices. With appropriate technologies and market access, these efforts can improve farmers' earning potential and reduce agricultural risks.
