At least 28,000 farmers affected by the El Niño in various areas of Davao del Sur have urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide them water pumps instead of conducting more cloud seeding operations.
DA director for Southern Mindanao Remelyn Recoter said they have been doing cloud seeding and would soon complete 45 flying hours this month alone. However the farmers the operations have barely eased the effects of the drought. They added that without adequate water supply, the farmers would not be able to prepare his field in time for the next cropping season between May and June. Gov. Claude Bautista said some farmers have already received water pumps.
