By Manny Piñol
Israel and Southern California are among the driest agricultural areas in the world but these places produce food all year round.
With less than 10 rainfalls every year, both areas literally have year-long droughts but the farmers do not mind at all.
In contrast, a two-month dry spell in the Philippines, a country battered by at least 20 typhoons every year, scares the wits of our officials.
The drought problem is so serious that many local government units declare a state of calamity and many farmers go hungry.
What sets Israel and Southern California apart from the Philippines in handling drought is the water management program of the two leading agricultural areas.
In Israel, even wastewater is recycled while in Southern California water is impounded and distributed through the American Canal.
Both areas have also perfected the Solar-Powered Irrigation Technology while the Philippines is still promoting it.
The greatest tragedy of Philippine Agriculture is our failure to manage our water resources.
During the rainy months, we let the floodwater to flow through our creeks and rivers straight to the ocean.
There is a need to change the mindset of our policy makers.
We have to implement a sound water management program and embrace the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS).
When we shall have done this, we will even look forward to the sunny days because these are the times when plant photosynthesis is most efficient.
That means more yield and greater productivity.
When we are ready with our water sources, there is no need to be afraid of the El Niño.
(Photos show two new Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems in Isabela. DA 2 RAFID)
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