Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) from all over Caraga converged last October 26 for the 10th AEW Congress held in Butuan City.

With this year’s theme “Climate is Changing, Agriculture and Fisheries Must Too”, Keynote Speaker Glenn B. Gregorio, Crop Breeding Manager of East West Seed Company, discussed coping with challenges in agriculture brought by climate change.

Gregorio said the work of Agricultural Technologists is very critical considering crop and livestock production is knowledge intensive. Agricultural Technologists should learn everything so they too can share to the farmers and other agriculture stakeholders. With climate change, agriculture must change too because only those that can respond to change will survive.

“Climate change is here to stay but tools are available to challenge it such as biotechnology, new fertilizers, and new farming practices. We have to be innovative, we have to change our mindset,” Gregorio said.

To sustain production under emerging global climate change, farmers have to change their farming practices. Farmers should use good quality seeds or plant materials and practice balanced fertilization. Research and extension should also focus more on what farmers need.

The Department of Agriculture who has been working on the crafting of commodity roadmaps also put emphasis on climate resiliency as to its future interventions in the farming sector.

“The roadmaps will guide DA, other government agencies, and LGUs working on the development of the agriculture sector to provide the right support and interventions that would ultimately address problems including climate change,” said DA Regional Executive Director Renato Manantan. “

The roadmaps for various agricultural commodities was formulated with the help of agri-stakeholders’ input including the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, farmers and the private sector. As soon as it is finalized, it will then serve as a basis for DA’s interventions on climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the future. (vanessa p. sanchez)