BSU develops climate change methods for Benguet farmers

By Carlito Dar

LA TRINIDAD Benguet – Benguet farmers are now recipients of better farming methods which adapt to climate change, thanks to researches made by Benguet State University here. 

“Climate change adaptive agriculture sector is one area BSU is focusing on through research programs,” said BSU president Ben Ladilad. “BSU has Climate Smart Agriculture Center, which focuses on studies and research on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

According to Dr. Carlito Laurean, head of the Climate Smart Agriculture Center,  this is a pet project of Ladilad that started three years ago.

It concentrates on researches and developing technologies that could help farmers adapt and mitigate effects of climate change.

“We started with lower technologies that are already being used by farmers such as wind breaker technology and harvest management,” he said.

Laurean said they  developed structural wind breakers, through the use of galvanized iron  pipes and plastic tunnels that can protect the farmers’ agricultural produce from strong winds.

In cases of drought, they have water harvesting technology as well as a design to lower the (vegetable) plots during summer to maximize the daily watering and for elevating the plot during rainy days so the vegetables can be protected from overflowing water.

In terms of advocacy, Ladilad said  the school is in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Information Agency for climate change information, education and communication  campaign.