In Biliran, some farmers engaged in organic farming after their Training on the Preparation of Fermented Plant Juice, Indigenous Micro-organisms, and Fermented Fruit Juice. Harvesting of palay was also noted.
About 90 percent of rainfed and irrigated palay farms were harvested in Albuera, Palo, Sta. Fe, Alang-alang, Pastrana, Babatngon and Tacloban City in Leyte. Average yield ranged from 3.5 to 4 mt. per hectare.
2. FISHERIES
Some commercial fishing vessels (CFV) opted to unload catch at landing centers outside the region but near the fishing grounds like Cebu which offered better prices and somehow reduced operational expenses.
3. PRICES AND MARKET SUPPLY
Supply of livestock and poultry was sufficient and prices were normal across the region. The region was also dependent on supply from Mindanao.
Prices of local produce and vegetables increased as production decreased. Supply in the trading centers was low over the region.
4. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAMS, POLICIES AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS
In Southern Leyte, the Participatory Coconut Planting Project (PCPP) of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) was on-going with additional hectarage and incentives for coconut farmers. Production of mummified wasp as biological control for Brontispa sp. was also in progress. A number of parasitized wasps was dispersed to some infested areas. The Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS)-LGU produced the inoculated media with Metarrhizium sp. Likewise, live vermi and vermicast were dispersed within and outside the province.
Artificial insemination of cattle and swine was on-going in the southwestern part of the region.
In Biliran, the OPAS-Fishery dispersed the balance of the previously reported 50,000 tilapia fingerlings granted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Monitoring-assessment of fish sanctuaries in Caibiran, Culaba, Maripipi and Naval was also in progress.
In Biliran, concreting at Sitio Canceso-Palayan ng Bayan of Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran was on-going. The project was funded by GOP and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Construction of farm to market road from Sitio Balicbalic, Barangay Lico Naval to Barangay P.S. Eamiguel Naval was on-going.
5. TRAINING, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS
The Australian Cooperation for International Agricultural Resources (ACIAR) sponsored the Diagnose, Identification of Phytophthora Inspection on Jackfruit and its Management which was participated in by 15 jackfruit farmers and the Agricultural Extension Worker. This was held at the Center for Continuing Education (CCE), Visayas State University (VSU) on April 17, 2012.
The Installation of Internal Control System for Small Molder Groups (Phases 1 and 2) was participated in by two (2) personnel from CASO-AEW and a farmer from Magsasaka Syentista. The event was sponsored by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) on April 23-27, 2012.
6. WEATHER SITUATION
Sunny weather with occasional rains, particularly, in the evening prevailed.