Agriculture rehab plan in ‘Yolanda’-hit areas to focus on coconut

AGRICULTURE Secretary Proceso J. Alcala announced on Thursday that rehabilitation of areas of Region 8 gravely hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) is “under way.”

Alcala was quoted in a statement as saying the move is marked by the formulation of a “work plan.”

“The work plan will give priority and focus on the clearing operations under a Coconut Rehabilitation Plan,” Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez was quoted in a statement on March 20.

Alcala appointed Perez as team leader of the rehabilitation initiatives, “tasked to coordinate all efforts of the Department of Agriculture [DA]-8 family.”

The DA chief said a Bernadette San Juan was designated officer in charge.

The DA statement said the work plan requires clearing of 390,000 trees in 75 days to give way to the planting and intercropping of corn, camote, vegetables and other high-value crops including coffee.

“The actual operation is set to clear 3,900 hectares of farmland, which will be made available for the planting of various crops and even livestock raising,” Perez said.

The DA statement added it will be employing 520 chainsaw operators and will target clearing 5,200 trees every day.

While the statement didn’t say when clearing operations will specifically begin, this is expected to run daily except Sunday and during the Holy Week.

Yolanda hit the provinces of Samar and Leyte in November of last year, uprooted 5 million trees, and left a significant number of people unproductive.

San Juan was quoted in the statement as saying that under the plan, 200,000 coco seedlings will be replanted and 75,000 standing trees will be fertilized.

“We will also undertake land-preparation activities to about 800 hectares of land for intercropping,” she said.

“Once the land is ready, rehabilitation efforts will focus on the planting of corn seeds, camote and coffee.”

Alcala was in Tacloban City early this month to assess the ongoing initiatives of the government with Director General Jose Graziano da Silva of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The two food agency heads visited a rice farm in Basey, Samar, expected to harvest by end-April or early May.

“It was fortunate that we, together with the FAO and other international organizations, were able to provide certified seeds last December, and the farmers were able to catch up for the cropping season,” Alcala was quoted as saying.

The statement of March 20 added: “Government efforts are now focused on providing livelihood to affected farmers.” –Alladin S. Diega, Businessmirror