Farmers should seize the current weather condition by ramping up their agricultural production before the effects of El Niño sets in, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In a memorandum dated July 6, Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Program Leocadio S. Sebastian directed the regional field offices and DA-affiliated agencies involved in farmer assistance to deliver fertilizer and seed assistance on a timely basis.

Citing the state weather bureau’s advisory, he said that the effects of El Niño would be apparent as early as the fourth quarter of 2023. He noted that there will be favorable rice-growing conditions in the coming months with normal to above-normal amounts of rainfall but fewer occurrences of typhoons.

“By ramping up our production during the rainy season, we can mitigate the impact of the El Nino that is expected during the dry season cropping,” Sebastian said.

Sebastian then ordered the Regional Executive Directors (REDs) of Regions 1 to 13 and the CAR Field Office, the heads of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the National Irrigation Administration, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and the Agricultural Training Institute to fasttrack the provision of agricultural inputs and other interventions, such as seeds, fertilizers, biofertilizers, soil ameliorants, irrigation.

“The timely delivery of the inputs will support the favorable growing conditions this wet season, boosting overall productivity and cushioning the adverse effects of El Niño during the dry season,” the memorandum said.

It is worth noting that even if Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stated that El Niño is now in the country, its effects on farms would not be seen right away and would take some time to reach those in non-irrigated areas.

As such, PAGASA predicted normal to above-normal rainfall for the months of June through September, but below-normal rainfall for the months of October through December.

Sebastian said the agriculture department is now identifying the areas that would be affected by El Niño, a cyclical phenomenon, which means areas affected during the 2016 and 2019 El Nino are likely to be affected again.

“Areas to be affected by El Nino during the dry season can plant crops like corn and mungbean, which require less water,” the DA said.