In the highlands, the unusual cold temperature freezes the air and soil moisture that are collected on the leaves of plants during the night.
The frozen moisture appears as thin ice flakes that melt early in the morning through the heat of the sun. This phenomenon leaves a burning effect on the leaves of matured cabbage. Some vegetable plants continue to wilt or die.
That simply means that the occurrence of night frost brings untold losses on the income of our vegetable farmers. The problem is made worse these days by a very cold night and hot temperature during the day.
Data provided by the Crops Division of the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that production loss due to night frost in the months of November to December 2004, and January 2005 reached P6,159,570. The municipalities affected are Atok, Buguias, Kibungan, and Mankayan, Benguet; and Bauko, Sagada, and Besao, Mountain Province.
Last year, from November to December, night frost damage in Atok, Buguias; Mankayan, Benguet; and Bauko, Mt. Province were recorded at more than P2 million.
Most of the crops affected are cabbage, potato, radish, celery, carrot, garden pea, cauliflower, green onions, bell pepper, tomato, and Chinese cabbage.
Since 2004, we can see that "night frost" phenomenon now occurs regularly in certain places of Benguet and Mountain Province. There were no reports yet from Ifugao, particularly in Tinoc which is a vegetable producing municipality with conditions very similar to the other frost affected towns of the region.
With the above given data, one is tempted to advise farmers to simply shift their planting schedules to avoid incurring losses during the night frost season. It is not that simple.
With demands for most highland vegetables at their peak in November to January, farmers would not want to miss on this opportunity to earn additional income.
By its nature, the pursuit of agriculture is highly sensitive to climate conditions and the decisions of farmers as influenced by the market and personal needs. If not for the night frost problem, the second quarter of the year with less typhoon and more or less sufficient moisture is ideal for vegetable production in many areas of the Cordillera highlands.
As it now appears, the risks for vegetable production for our vegetable farmers are spreading evenly throughout the year. This presents new challenges for development planners, extension workers, investors and farmers alike to now look at appropriate production inputs and strategies to mitigate problems and sustain highland vegetable production.
Investing on power sprayers and ensuring the availability of water as early morning sprays to dilute the frost before the sun does it with destructive consequences is a good way to start and goes all the way to nature care and balance in the ecosystem.
