Documentation on the Impact of Climate Change to Mango Production and Coping Mechanism Employed at Dalupirip Itogon, Benguet

Abstract

This study was conducted in mango producing area of Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet to document the climatic changes for the last 20 years. Forty mango producers were interviewed to document the awareness, local knowledge, and observations of farmers, the effects of climate change in aspects such as demographic profile of the study, production practices, incidence of pest and diseases and other production problems, and strategies or coping mechanism employed. The findings showed that all farmers at Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet depend on farming and climate change has an effect on mango production in the past 20 years in terms of weather and climatological data. Climate changes are experienced by the respondents although not aware of the word, but describe it by their own understanding regarding the phenomena. Moreover, mango producers adapt the climatic change that arises in the area. Farmers perceived a positive and negative effect of climate change to mango production. Problems encountered by the farmers include were environmental factors such as pest attacking the plant, bad weather condition such as typhoon and storms. It is therefore recommended that any concerned agencies should train and/or teach farmers the strategies and or introduce integrated pest management on how to cope up with these arising pests and diseases, and most especially, the phenomena observed. Moreover, farmers should minimize the usage and/or application of inorganic fertilizers and instead practice organic agriculture.