The warning is dire. Scientists say that even if the earth’s hot temperature on global warming is reduced significantly in the coming years, climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, and other severe weather events are likely to result in food shortages, increase in water and air-borne diseases, infrastructure damage and the of natural resources degradation.
To help farmers adapt to these inevitable eventualities, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (or GIZ) recently conducted a five-day seminar-workshop on “Climate Proofing for Development: Practical application for agrarian reform communities” at the Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila.
The GIZ, Adaptation to Climate Change & Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCBio) trainers and the Phil. Atmospheric Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) presented to DAR studies made on the ill effects of climate change on farms and farming communities in the country.
Undersecretary for Special Programs & Agrarian Relations Rosalina Bistoyong said the seminar-workshop seeks to understand and learn how to adapt to the climate changes and integrate it in development plans for agrarian reform communities.
“We at DAR believe that we cannot delay making adaptation plans and actions to ensure that maladaptation [by farmers] will not worsen adverse climate change effects and impede their sustainable development,” said Bistoyong.
“Climate adaptation ways like planting trees, composting, using bio-friendly fertilizers, organic farming, are just some of the ways the farmers can use to help mitigate climate change,” said Corrine Canlas of GIZ.
“With the climate change impacts we have been experiencing like floods, typhoons and the el niño and la niña phenomena, implementers need to learn the ways and means to adapt to these [eventualities], so that they can put strategies to add development plans for farmers in the agrarian reform communities,” added Canlas.
Bistoyong said that the implementers will also teach farmers measures to avoid the bad effects of chemicals on the environment and contribute in minimizing global warming.
“This course will help our implementers in making necessary developments plans so that our farmers will be able to cope, adapt and sustain their livelihood in the face of climate change,” Bistoyong said. Pinky, PAS-DAR
