THE Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) is bracing for summer.
City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said the City is set to construct more water catchment systems in 75 sites in upland barangays.
This is to augment the water impounding project that the CAD established in the mountain barangays last year.
Baclayon said this is to ensure there will be enough water for crops in the hot and dry season.
Under the 2021 annual budget, P30 million was appropriated for the project that will be implemented in 28 upland barangays.
Baclayon said the new water catchment systems will be bigger at 500 square meters, compared to the 80-square-meter size of the 45 in existence.
Baclayon said his office also provided drums and hoses to upland barangays.
He said purchase requirements for the establishment of additional water catchment systems are still in process.
Baclayon said the CAD continues to enrol farmers and crops in the free insurance coverage offered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
The registration of farmers under the registry system for basic sector in agriculture is also ongoing.
Baclayon said the 3,200 registered farmers under CAD can soon avail themselves of a P5,000 stimulus package from the City Government. (JJL)