THE Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) assured the public that there is enough supply of vegetables in markets in the city despite the dry spell.
City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said the supply of vegetables, root crops, fruits and cut flowers in the city will still be good until June, when demand is expected to increase because of the opening of classes.
“In Cebu City, maka-assure gyod ta ana until June pa atong supply. Nag over supply na gani ta (I could assure the public that we have enough supply until June. In fact, we have oversupply),” he said.
Baclayon said the prices of some agricultural products even decreased, particularly green leafy vegetables and flowers.
Despite the warm weather in Cebu, Baclayon said his office did not monitor the presence of armyworms, which usually attack crops in its early stage, in several vegetable plantations in the upland barangays.
The Department of Agriculture 7 warned the farmers of possible pest infestations in some towns in Cebu.
“So far, we did not monitor any presence of armyworms, but we told the farmers to contact us if there are (armyworms) so we can do something about it. But in previous years, wa man gyod ta naka-suway og presence ana nga pest,” Baclayon said.
The City Agriculture Department, however, is monitoring the presence of diamondback moth, which usually damages green leafy vegetables like cabbage, Chinese cabbage, radish and pechay, among others.
Diamondback moth, Baclayon said is very hazardous and damaging to vegetable plantations.
Unlike the situation in the same months in the previous year, Baclayon said, there is also enough water supply in the upland barangays, where plantations are located.
He said there are still occasional rains despite the dry season.