Cebu farmers advised to plant monggo, camote, squash during rainy season

With the rainy season now here, farmers in Cebu who had suffered from the dry spells from El Niño were advised to resume planting their crops—particularly vegetables—soonest.

OIC provincial agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said the onset of rainy season is considered the first cropping season.

“There’s nothing to worry [about] if El Niño [persists]. Sunlight would be good for plants as well,” Saragena said.

He suggested that farmers plant crops such as monggo, peanuts, camote, squash and vegetables alongside corn.

Saragena also urged the farmers to avail of the Capitol’s agri-fishery insurance program with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

Saragena said farmers could approach their municipal agriculture offices to fill out the insurance forms.

Insurance coverage would cover the farmers, livestock, and corn and other high value crops. The Cebu provincial government will pay 100 percent of the premium.

PAGASA on June 23 declared the start of the rainy season, indicating heavy rain is likely in July and August, but not so much in September.

In Cebu, the mild El Niño damaged about P58 million of crops and caused P12.4 million losses to livestock so far. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News