Agri sector urged to focus on climate change adaptation

IN SECURING enough food amid climate change, the country's agriculture sector is urged to focus more on adaptation rather than mitigation measures.

"The priority strategy for development will focus on adaptation since this is where most government funds should invest," said Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd) deputy executive director Danilo Cardenas.

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Speaking at the recent Mindanao summit on research and development agenda for climate change held in Davao City, Cardenas said the next two years will focus on adaptation considering the limited budget in addressing climate change.

Cardenas said mitigation measures are intended to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gasses and the Philippines is not a major contributor on greenhouse gas emissions.

"The focus should be on adaptation strategies to come-up with adjustment measures (that can be) adopted at the farm level in response to actual or expected climate variability or its effects which moderate harm or exploits beneficial opportunities," he said.

Cardenas said the life support system such as agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) are highly vulnerable to climate change effects.

"There is an urgent need to take decisive action to adapt to the consequences of climate change and to mitigate its potential threats," he added.

Adapting to climate change

In a policy consultation with various scientists and researchers across the country, specific adaptation strategies for AFNR had been identified.

For crop sector, there is a need to develop resilient crop varieties that are either drought or flood tolerant. There is also a need to come-up with adjustment of cropping calendar and promotion of organic fertilizer. Water harvesting technologies will be also enhanced including management of priority watersheds.

Livestock sector on the other hand will identify heat and disease tolerant livestock and poultry breeds including development of vaccines against diseases. There is also a need to improve digestibility of feeds and nutritional intervention to minimize enteric gas emission and waste management. Conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources will be also considered.

Although planting trees had been identified as a major measure in combating climate change, the forestry sector are urged to look into the carbon value sequestration of Philippine trees and develop models of community-based carbon sequestering mechanisms.

Cardenas said there is a need to coordinate and harmonize various agencies' plans and programs on climate change. Stressing that policies should be science-based, researchers present during the summit underscored the need to examine the budget allocation to strengthen research and development activities.

Meanwhile, Lourdes Generalao, director of Davao-based Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (Smarrdec) said that Mindanao being the country's food basket must be secured in terms of protecting its natural resources from the impact of climate change.

"Mindanao science community is now identifying priority areas for science-based interventions. We need to address short and long term science solutions to cushion negative effects of climate change to the food production in the island-region," she said.