The Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) climate change program, the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) launched the National Color-Coded Agricultural Guide (NCCAG) Map at the Malacańan Palace on March 7, 2017.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Pińol presented the NCCAG program to President Rodrigo Duterte.
AMIA is a special program of DA Systems-wide Climate Change Office (DA-SWCCO) which aims to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The NCCAG identifies the agricultural areas that are naturally suitable to crops and overlays data on soil properties, elevation, slope, rainfall pattern, temperature and climate induced multi-hazards.
“This marks the day that the farmers will no longer guess on what type of soil he has in his farm and what crop is suitable in his area,” Piñol noted.
The map also indicates the availability of water in an area, which could benefit in the proposal for solar-powered irrigation systems.
Currently, there are 20 crops that have been identified by the NCCAG. These crops include abaca, banana, cacao, cassava, coconut, coffee, corn, garlic and onion, legumes, mango, oil palm, papaya, pineapple, rice, rubber, sugarcane, sweet potato, taro, vegetables, and yam.
“We will not stop here. This is a work -in progress and we will continue to improve our data,” Piñol said.
The development of the NCCAG maps is valued at around P36 million including capability building for all DA regional offices. There are many more maps to be made available soon.
To assist the farmers and fisherfolk access the program, the DA would set up kiosks or information center in every municipality where farmers and fisherfolk can ask to help them view the program, Piñol said.
DA also launched the FARMHELP phone application, which would assist farmers and fisherfolk from their complaints on their agricultural land and provide them easier access to markets 24/7.
The NCCAG can be accessed at www.farmersguidemap.gov.ph. (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
Reference:
DA Systems-Wide Climate Change Office (DA-SWCCO)
Tel No.-02-2732474 local 2489
