Awareness and use of seasonal climate forecasts (SCF) in the corn growing areas [of Leyte, Philippines]

Rainfed agriculture in the Philippines is greatly affected by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Areas affected by ENSO often suffer agricultural production losses brought by intense climate variability. With the emerging science of seasonal climate forecasts (SCF), the risks associated with El Niño as well as La Niña phenomenon can now be addressed. Better management of climate variability has the potential to improve resource use efficiency and to provide economic benefits through well-managed crop planting, management and growing strategies. Predo (VSU) [Visayas State Univ., Baybay, Leyte, Philippines] assessed the awareness in the use of seasonal climate forecasts (SCF) in corn growing areas of Leyte. The study is part of the on-going growing R and D [research and development] project Bridging the Gap between Seasonal Climate Forecasts and Decision Makers in Agriculture. The study was conducted in two municipalities, namely: Mahaplag and Matalom, in Leyte province. The average farm size was 1 ha in Mahaplag and 2 ha in Matalom. Corn farming was the primary occupation of 85% of Mahaplag farmers and 73% of Matalom farmers. The most common secondary sources of income in Mahaplag were livestock raising (51%), farming (42%) and copra making (14%). In Matalom, the secondary occupations were livestock raising (43%), copra making (18%) and hired labor (13%). The traditional planting windows for corn growers in Mahaplag were April-May (dry season) and Sep (wet season). In Matalom, the traditional planting windows for corn were April-Aug (dry season) and Sep-March (wet season). The most common varieties planted by farmers were native varieties such as 'mimis' and 'tinigib'. The farmers believed that SCF helps in decision making (81%), crop management (90%), risk reduction (76%) and damage mitigation (85%). The most received climate information among locals in Mahaplag (74%) and Matalom (65%) was El Niño advisory. The most common sources of information in Mahaplag were radio (51%), television (49%), co-farmer (37%), local beliefs (32%), extension worker (14%) and PAGASA station (11%). In Matalom, the most common sources were local beliefs (73%), radio (43%), co-farmer (32%) and television (27%). Respondents from Mahaplag (66%) and Matalom (55%) reported that climate information received were relevant. In Mahaplag, 79% of the respondents were satisfied with the information they receive and said it was correct (70%) while in Matalom, majority (87%) of the respondents were satisfied with the information they received and 73% said it was correct. In Mahaplag, 66% of the respondents preferred low-but-assured-yield over a high risk-high-profit alternative while in Matalom, 58% of the respondents preferred high yield forecast even if only a 50/50 chance of obtaining it. The on-farm decisions affected by climate variability for Mahaplag farmers were cost of inputs (60%), crop to be planted (40%), time of planting (25%), and low yield (6%). For Matalom, 87% of the respondents said that crop to plant was affected by climate variability. Other decisions affected by climate variability in Matalom were cost of inputs (17%)and timing of planting (10%). The decisions influenced by SCF in Mahaplog were cost of inputs(55%), crop to plant (40%), timing of planting (39%) while in Matalom, 70% stated that SCF influenced the general farm production operation. Other farm production operations affected by SCF were timing of planting (20%) and cost of inputs (18%). The study showed the importance to SCF to farmers in deciding when to plant corn in the study areas. SCFs were of some value to farmers in better managing their cropping systems. The study was limited to two municipalities of Leyte. Information on the use of SCFs by other crop farmers decision making and farm management practices.