THE province of Benguet often experience natural disaster, particularly typhoon, landslide, frost and drought. These disasters usually leave negative impact in the environment of the affected areas as well as the economic status and lives of the people therein.
To address some of the negative impacts of natural disasters particularly on crops, the BSU Climate SMART Agriculture Center (BSU-CSAC) has developed the wind break technology that reduces crop damage against strong wind caused by typhoon. This technology was first applied at the CSAC experimental farms located in Talinguroy, La Trinidad and was replicated in Bonglo, Paoay, Atok and Buyacaoan and Lengaoan, Buguias through the funding of the World Food Programme (WFP). The project aims to strengthen the capacities of farming communities to cope and adapt to climate change. It can be recalled that Benguet Province accounts for 69% to 89 % of the country’s supply of temperate vegetables—potato, cabbage, beans, broccoli and carrots.
To construct a wind break, CSAC came up with the locally available materials as follows: shade net, interlinks, GI pipes (2”) as post, tie wire (no.16) polythelene ropes (3mm), steel bar (12mm), welding rod, pain (primer), gravel, sand and cement. The cost of the materials is Php 56,307.00 for 90 linear meter.
In the construction of the wind break, 12 pieces of GI pipes were cut into three equal sizes (200 cm each) and iron bars were attached to one end of the GI pipes as anchor. Afterwards, holes were dug in the ground with a distance of 3 meters and at least 1 foot deep. The iron bars were then weld to the GI post, on the top, center and below portion of the post to serve as interlink anchor. The interlinks were hooked and tied with tie wires. To minimize rusting, GI pipes and joints were painted with primer. The single or double net were attached to the interlink and tied with nylon ropes and tie wire.
A farmer cooperator of Atok, Winnie Taynan and Amado William and Sotero Capsuyen of Buguias, the wind break or wind barrier is a good technology to be replicated since it does not just protect crops from strong wind but it also serve as fence to protect plants from the entry of animals which is a requirement for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification. Ms. Taynan applied for GAP certification and she is on the process of completing the requirements.
CSAC continues to develop technologies through various researches to improve agricultural productivity and income, build resilience and capacity for agricultural and food systems to reduce the negative effects of climate change. The center is working through its has four divisions namely: climate-smart crop production, soil health and management, climate smart animal production and climate smart forestry and watershed management.
Wind break installed in a demo farm at Paoay, Atok, Benguet. It reduces wind speed that protects the crop from wind damages.