DA preparing for dry spell

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is employing various mitigation measures in preparation for the dry spell that is expected to adversely affect the farm sector in the fourth quarter of the year.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala yesterday said the preservation of water sources and irrigation infrastructure is crucial to the growth of the farm sector this year.

“We are putting in place policy initiatives, water management and conservation measures, as well as modern and innovative farming and fishery technologies to somehow soften the effects of the dry weather,” he said.

The weather bureau forecasts that El Niño may start affecting the country by June and will peak by yearend.

Alcala said the DA has been introducing drought-tolerant crop varieties to farmers such as sorghum, cassava and sweet potato. Rice farmers have also been advised to plant drought-tolerant varieties.

The DA is also looking at the provision of subsidies to farmers who will plant rice in the next cropping cycles.

“The National Rice Program is studying this. We can identify locations that would be suitable for growing hybrid rice so that production would not suffer,” Alcala said.

Alcala added that the country will have enough rice buffer stock for the lean season of July to September as rice imported by the National Food Authority from Vietnam will start arriving this month.

The farm sector, however, is challenged by dwindling water supply in major reservoirs.

The water elevation at the Angat dam further dipped to 177.69 meters above sea level as of 6 a.m. yesterday and the downpour on Monday night hardly contributed to increasing water levels of local dams, the National Irrigation Administration said.

As early as March, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management had carried out cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall in major watersheds. “This is to ensure water reserves across the nation, especially in agricultural areas and provinces,” Alcala said.

This month, cloud seeding operations will be undertaken in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Isabela to raise the water levels in Angat and Magat dams.

The Diocese of Malolos is also set to hold a simultaneous prayer for rains on Sunday as daily temperature is expected to peak this week.

Alcala said repairs of damaged irrigation dams and canals are also underway as well as the construction of additional shallow tube wells, small water impounding projects, diversion dams and other small-scale irrigation projects.

Other defenses against the prolonged dry spell include the buffer stoking of seeds and early planting of crops.

The DA needs an initial budget of P1.61 billion for these interventions, of which P764.3 million is readily available while the remaining P842.6 million will be sourced from the Department of Budget and Management.

As of this month, damage and losses to the crop subsector as a result of moisture stress is valued at P823.28 million, covering 34,057 hectares in Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions II, IV-B and V.

Crop damage is attributed to moisture stress covering rice, corn and vegetables. – With Dino Balabo