Accra:Ilocos Norte Farmers in Ilocos Norte are embracing a government-backed 320-hectare clustered farming initiative to bolster food production amid concerns about water availability due to the El Niño phenomenon. This collective effort aims to sustain agricultural productivity by organizing farmland into clusters, allowing better resource management and improved food security for the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative supports approximately 2,000 farmers who are coordinating agricultural activities to enhance productivity and maximize resources. Chonito Baldovi, the Provincial High Value Crops Development Program coordinator, highlighted the distribution of onion seeds to clustered farmers as part of the initiative, with further agricultural inputs to follow.

The Ilocos Norte government has allocated around PHP27 million in assistance for clustered farming this year, focusing on crops such as garlic, onion, mango, watermelon, mungbean, and peanut. The approach not only helps farmers manage production collectively but also allows government agencies to provide technical assistance more effectively.

Baldovi emphasized that clustered farming encourages farmers to work together, facilitating shared knowledge and practices tailored to local conditions. This collective strategy, supported by technology and market access, aims to improve farmers' income and mitigate risks associated with agricultural challenges.