Department of Agriculture to assess impact of looming El Niño

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the national rice program, has ordered all regional field units to assess the possible effect of the developing El Niño in their jurisdictions.

The weather bureau had warned that the dry spell is expected to be felt beginning October and would last until December.

“As forecast, El Niño is seen to adversely affect large portions of Luzon, and other parts of the country with drought-like effects at a time when heavy rainfall is traditionally expected. This phenomenon will undoubtedly affect rice production in our rainfed areas, while critically placing water supply in our irrigation facilities at dangerous levels,” said Agriculture assistant and national rice program coordinator Dante Delima in an order dated Sept. 12.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) projects that 3rd and 4th quarter palay production may reach 3.56 million metric tons (MT) and 6.36 million MT, respectively, for a total of 9.92 million MT in the second half of 2012. This would be higher by 8.9 percent than last year’s second half production level of 9.11 million MT.

Delima, however, said in an earlier interview that lower third quarter production may be expected because of weather disturbances experienced in July and August.

He said that the government could recover production loss through the third cropping scheme that is being conducted this month, although storms that may land and the developing El Nino is a cause for worry.

Delima mandated field units to create their own Regional El Niño Action Team (RENACT), to be led by the regional executive director as chairperson, and to have representatives from concerned agencies of the DA.

The action teams should also coordinate with corresponding local government units and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

Once created, the teams should immediately convene to assess the rice situation in their region, get updates from the appropriate regional or national government agencies, and plan out activities or interventions in consideration of the impending effects of El Niño and other climate change-related phenomena to rice production.

Action planning workshops should be undertaken, to assess the projected impact of El Niño on regional rice production, broken down into the provincial level, and considering various possible scenarios.

“Mitigating measures should be identified to minimize the projected impact of El Niño on rice production, along with its budget requirements, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and information management strategies in all stages should be in place,” Delima said.

First half palay production was 7.89 million MT, 4.2 percent higher than last year’s level of 7.58 million MT.