Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Frost Envelopes Vegetables In Atok, Benguet As Temperature Drops Below 0° Celsius

The temperature in the agricultural town of Atok in Benguet went below the freezing point for two consecutive days (February 15 and 16). Negative two degrees Celsius (-2°C) and negative three degrees Celsius (-3° C) were recorded on the mornings of said dates. The low temperatures led to the formation of frost (andap) on some vegetable patches in the town especially those located within Sayangan and Paoay.

Frost is characterized by a coating of ice on the leaves and stems of vegetables. They usually occur overnight and melt away during the day. Fortunately, the kinds of vegetables being raised in Benguet like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and cabbages are  only moderately susceptible to freezing and chilling due to frost. The most susceptible to frost are flowers and seedlings that are yet to be transferred to their plots.

In a Sun Star Baguio report, Agot Balanoy, general manager of the Benguet Farmers Marketing Cooperative, said that frost has less than 1% effect on the total vegetable production in the area. Balanoy added that it had been windy and drizzly in Atok for the last few days. These helped in mitigating the effects of frost on yet-to-be-harvested vegetables.
Image Source: Helen Simonsson via Flickr.
Frost formation is also a common occurrence in other Benguet towns especially in Kabayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Buguias, Bakun, and Bokod.