Prices of farm products seen stable

Vegetables and fruits are sold at the SRP in this October 2015 file photo.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) does not expect prices of agricultural products to increase because of the El Niño phenomenon, said Regional Director Angel Enriquez.

“Our supply is still okay. At this point, harvest season is over and farmers are starting to plant. We are even looking forward to as early as next February to harvest,” she said.

The DA is monitoring the field and has prepared several measures to mitigate the impact of a strong El Niño.

Among these measures is stocking up on seeds that farmers can use for diversification or cash cropping purposes.

The department is also monitoring dams in Bohol province. In partnership with the provincial government of Bohol,

Enriquez said a plane is ready to fly any time for cloud seeding in case the water in the dams goes down to critical levels.

Two weeks of no rain would bring water down to critical levels, said Enriquez.

She noted, however, that the region still experiences rain showers so there has been no need to adopt these measures.

Farmers have not yet felt the full effects of the El Niño, said Jose Dizon Dee Ancla, Dalaguete Vegetable Growers Association OURFood (Davega) vice president.

“It still continues to rain so our production is still good and stable,” he said.

The association produces 60 to 90 tons of produce per day.

However, Ancla warned that once effects of El Niño manifest, production could drop to 50 tons daily and prices of agricultural products in the market could increase.

He said their members are well informed of what they should do to minimize their losses and prevent prices from going up too high.

Davega produces high valued crops, including bell pepper, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

It has about 180 farmer members.