Farmer’s group MINFED has advised sugarcane growers against planting after June, warning that crops established later could suffer severe damage if the projected six- to seven-month drought associated with a stronger El Niño materializes. Photo by Jude Palmada
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A Mindanao farmer’s federation has cautioned sugarcane planters to refrain from planting the crop due to the expected “super” El Niño while urging the national government to release emergency funds for drought-mitigating measures.
Juan Manuel Zubiri, president of Mindanao Sustainable Sugarcane Agricultural Development Federation, Inc. (MINFED), warned that planting sugarcane beyond June could severely damage the crop if the projected six- to seven-month drought materializes.
Zubiri issued the pronouncement following warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that an El Niño is likely to intensify in the coming months.
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