The Philippine Online Chronicles

In order to curb the worsening effects of climate change on the country's agricultural production, scientists are developing a new breed of crops that could withstand extreme weather conditions.

Dr. Gil Magsino, head of a research team of agriculturists-scientists from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños Soil Conservation Technology and Weed Management, in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI), said they are cultivating a new rice variety that “can survive in any weather or condition.”

The new breed of rice can withstand extreme heat or cold, conditions which may be brought about by drastic weather change.

“These rice seeds could survive with less water during dry season and could even survive after being flooded under water,” Magsino explained.

Since current rice varieties are “very much water sensitive,” the group is also developing a new breed of rice that would be less water-dependent, and would thrive even in hot and dry climate caused by El Niño.

Magsino said the team is also looking into developing highland vegetable seeds that can adapt to changing weather. He noted that the current breed of vegetable grown in high-altitude areas such as Benguet and Mountain Province are very sensitive to warm temperature.

Other Asian countries, India and China have also stepped up agricultural research to prepare for the threats posed by global warming.

Climate change and agriculture

Drastic changes in weather caused by global warming carries an adverse effect on agricultural productivity, said Dr. Veronica Beringuer, regional coordinator of the Department of Agriculture High Value Vegetable Crops (HVVC) department.

“Because of climate change, farmers have losses in their farms because their areas are also vulnerable to destructive typhoons and bad weather. It seems climate change is the number one cause of low production,” she said.

It was observed that changes in weather patterns have caused a significant decline in the production rate of priority crops in Eastern Visayas. These include mango, banana, pineapple, vegetables and coffee.

In the first quarter of 2009, mango production had dropped 12.45 percent from last year's 24 percent, while the production of pineapple had slowed from a growth rate of 3 percent to only 1.07 percent. Coffee dropped from a growth rate of 6 percent to a mere -9.4 percent.