Effects of Climathe Change to the Agricultural Production in Minalabac, Camarines Sur
Chapter I
Introduction
Philippines had been one of the blessed countries for having a good temperature and rich soils for flora and fauna in this world. As an archipelago, we are surrounded by water which makes our natural land to be rich in minerals and nutrients that is good for plants. With the precise soil to plant on, the country provides the right place for agricultural growth and production. Agricultural sector in the country is one of the sources for living of the Filipino people. According to tradingeconomics.com, with 40.08% of agricultural land area in the whole Philippines by 2009, this would be one of the main sources of living for the Filipinos. Majority of this area was taken by rice crops which is the countries staple food. Because of this, rice produced in the Philippines is high compared to other crops. But as time passes, there are already changes that appear to our country. As we all know, we are undergoing climate change where sudden changes appear when it comes to temperature that brought calamities which affect the agricultural sector of the country. Typhoons, as one of climate change product, affect the agricultural sector through the recent years. Living on an area who’s one of the primary sources of income is on agriculture especially on rice, I am primarily concerned on how rice production is affected by the current issues today in climate change.
The Municipality of Minalabac covers about 13,010.53 hectares of upland and crop areas which is about 90% of the total land area (Municipal Agriculture Office, 2006). That is why agricultural crops specifically rice had been the largest source of living in our municipality. As part of the Bicol region that is located beside the Pacific Ocean we are prone to typhoons. Typhoons on its nature, brings disaster to its affected area through intense flooding and strong winds that it brings (Ward, 2010). Especially on today’s generation where climate change is present and our weather may be
Introduction
Philippines had been one of the blessed countries for having a good temperature and rich soils for flora and fauna in this world. As an archipelago, we are surrounded by water which makes our natural land to be rich in minerals and nutrients that is good for plants. With the precise soil to plant on, the country provides the right place for agricultural growth and production. Agricultural sector in the country is one of the sources for living of the Filipino people. According to tradingeconomics.com, with 40.08% of agricultural land area in the whole Philippines by 2009, this would be one of the main sources of living for the Filipinos. Majority of this area was taken by rice crops which is the countries staple food. Because of this, rice produced in the Philippines is high compared to other crops. But as time passes, there are already changes that appear to our country. As we all know, we are undergoing climate change where sudden changes appear when it comes to temperature that brought calamities which affect the agricultural sector of the country. Typhoons, as one of climate change product, affect the agricultural sector through the recent years. Living on an area who’s one of the primary sources of income is on agriculture especially on rice, I am primarily concerned on how rice production is affected by the current issues today in climate change.
The Municipality of Minalabac covers about 13,010.53 hectares of upland and crop areas which is about 90% of the total land area (Municipal Agriculture Office, 2006). That is why agricultural crops specifically rice had been the largest source of living in our municipality. As part of the Bicol region that is located beside the Pacific Ocean we are prone to typhoons. Typhoons on its nature, brings disaster to its affected area through intense flooding and strong winds that it brings (Ward, 2010). Especially on today’s generation where climate change is present and our weather may be
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