ABRA LAWMAKER CALLS FOR GOVT HELP IN FARMLAND LEVELING

With the threat of drought due to El Niño looming over the country, a lawmaker called on the government to help accelerate farmland leveling for more efficient water use.

“With the threat of drought once again upon us, we must implement measures that would allow our farmers to utilize resources more efficiently and effectively. Land leveling is one intervention that could benefit our farmers and help them weather the loss or lessening of irrigation,” Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos said.

His comment comes after the Department of Agriculture and National Irrigation Administration announced its planned interventions for the sector during a briefing before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Among the strategies the two government bodies cited are rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of irrigation systems including the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems, rotational water distribution, and “double dry” cropping schemes.

The NIA also said that it is encouraging farmers to adopt water saving practices in field preparation, including land leveling.

The solon, however, said that small farmers might be hard-pressed to conduct land leveling due to lack of resources, which is why the government must step in to help.

“Mahihirapan ang mga maliliit na magsasaka na patagin ang lupang sinasaka nila sa kabila ng kawalan ng makinarya. Kaya mahalagang suportahan sila ng pamahalaan sa layuning ito,” he said.

The lawmaker, along with Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos, is the author of House Bill No. 6516 or the Bangod Bukid bill, which establishes a National Farm Land Leveling and Reconstruction Program to accelerate the implementation of the practice across the country.

He said that the measure would restructure uneven or degraded farmlands to allow efficient irrigation and drainage; integrate mechanized farming systems to reduce post-harvest losses and labor inefficiencies; and strengthen farmer productivity and resilience against climate-induced risks such as droughts and flooding.

The bill would also establish engineering standards for farm reconstruction, promote contiguous and block farming, and ensure that small farmers gain access to modern machinery and financial assistance.