MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) has recommended the immediate rehabilitation of three watersheds in Mindanao that are critical to irrigation systems in two regions. BSWM director Dr. Silvino Q. Tejada reported to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala that these watersheds are located in Linamon in Lanao del Norte, Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte and Nasipit in Agusan del Norte.
The bureau's interest in their rehabilitation arises from the fact that it is involved in the Mindanao Rural Development Program – Adaptable Program Loan Phase 2 (MRDP2), a poverty-alleviation initiative implemented through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and jointly funded by the World Bank (WB), the national government and local government units (LGUs). It covers Mindanao's 26 provinces and 225 municipalities.
“Climate change or weather occurrences like the La Nina and El Nino have presented many challenges to small farmers who rely on watershed areas for many things like water supply and soil erosion protection. If a watershed area is not in good condition, it would be very impossible for it to support a farming community especially with climate change and excessive rainfall caused by La Nina,” Tejada added.
The BSWM’s survey of the Kinabangan Watershed in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte showed that its soil, land and water resources are “overexploited beyond its capacity, resulting in low productivity of various farming areas.”
It also found out that around 4,250 hectares or 68.53 percent of its total land area could potentially host agribusiness activities like the planting of high value commercial crops (HVCCs) like fruit trees and vegetables like sweet pepper, pole sitao and ampalaya. Industrial crops could also be cultivated there.
For the Linamon Watershed, analysis revealed that “soil, land and water resources are optimally utilized and hence, resulting in low productivity."
The DA has identified around 1,824.79 hectares or 88.26 percent of the lands of the Linamon Watershed as potential sites for HVCC cultivation.
A similar set of findings was made for the Gigaquit Watershed.
Gigaquit boasts of the largest area among the three watersheds evaluated by the BSWM.
Around 15,769 hectares or 67.25 percent of its total land area was found to be potential agribusiness sites for HVCC cultivation.
Matvyn Benaning, Manila Bulletin
