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Friday, March 11, 2005
Cloud seeding proposed
AGRICULTURE officials in South Cotabato proposed the conduct of cloud-seeding operations in the province as farmlands in the area are reportedly starting to dry up due to the continuing onslaught of the mild dry spell or El Niño phenomenon.
Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato agriculture office chief, said they have submitted a request to the Department of Agriculture central office and its Bureau of Soils and Water Management to induce the so-called artificial rains through cloud seeding over the next two weeks.
"There are standing corn plants that are now starting to wilt and our rice paddies are slowly drying up due to the lack of rains and the intense heat," he said.
Legaste said they observed such situation since last month but they delayed their request for cloud seeding so as not to obstruct the flowering of mangoes and other fruit trees.
So far, he said his office is currently validating the areas affected by the dry spell that is expected to last until next month.
Legaste earlier said the province has over 20,000 hectares of standing palay and corn farmlands that are due for harvest by the second quarter of the year.
Among the areas severely affected by the dry spell is Koronadal City, which had sounded the alarm for immediate cloud seeding early last month. (AVE)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos. Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(March 7, 2005 issue)
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