El Niño damage to agriculture sector hits P357.4 million

MANILA, Philippines — The damage the El Niño phenomenon brought to the agriculture sector in four regions alone – Ilocos, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula – has already ballooned to P357.4 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a report yesterday, the DA said at least 6,523 hectares of farmlands were affected by the ongoing drought, with a volume of production loss totaling 14,601 metric tons.

It added that 7,668 farmers suffered because of the ongoing dry spell.

According to the DA, 80 percent of the damage came from rice plantations after 5,011 hectares were affected by the spell. This translates to a loss of P284.27 million.

Corn (P60.7 million covering 1,261 hectares) and high value crops (P12.41 million for 249 hectares) also suffered significant damage.

The DA said that vegetable seeds will be distributed in Western Visayas and Ilocos regions while planting materials for high-value crops that require less water will be given in Zamboanga peninsula to help farmers recover from losses.

It said that it is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of National Defense and Philippine Air Force for cloud-seeding operations to ease water shortage in Region 2.

“Promotion of drought-resistant crops and pest-control efforts are also underway to assist farmers in areas suffering from low rainfall levels,” the DA added, aside from implementing an alternate wetting-and-drying method to reduce water consumption in rice fields.

The DA is also considering the use of solar-powered irrigation systems to augment water supply in areas vulnerable to drought and the use of shallow tube wells in rain-fed areas.

“The agency will also endorse affected farmers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Labor and Employment for other forms of assistance, including financial support,” it said.

PAGASA has said that the number of provinces affected by the dry spell is expected to increase after it reported that 41 areas were hit amid the ongoing strong El Niño phenomenon.