The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) developed a training on capacity enhancement and mainstreaming of climate change in increasing the capability of some DA-RFO 10 staff and its attached agencies on February 26-28, 2020.

The three-day activity focuses on climate change risk and its mitigation strategies in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

It also includes updating of technologies and practices for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Carmelito Lapoot, officer-in-charge of DA’s Research Division noted that a more productive and resilient agricultural industry requires better management of resources.

According to Lapoot, adaptation practices for crops is through the use of resistant or tolerant varieties, the use of nextGen varieties for saline, rainfed, lowland irrigated inbreed and hybrid areas, among others.

He further cited the adaptation practices through the use of early maturing varieties, relay or intercropping.

Importantly, he encouraged the participants to explore other climate resilient crops like Adlai, and the use of zero tillage.

Aside from crops, livestock adaptation practices is also important along with the use of resistant or tolerant breed and improvement of forage as source of feeds.

Aside from that, it is important to take note on the production of buffer stock seeds and planting materials.

On the other hand, weather forecasters of PAG-ASA shared on localized climate services and rainfall forecasting.

Noting on DA’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program enables the agri-fishery sector to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and build climate-resilient communities and livelihood.

Accordingly, through climate resiliency and vulnerability assessment (CRVA), communities in the country which are most vulnerable to climate change will be identified.

As such, it will ensure that strategic and effective investments can be made.# (ATCabig)