The Department of Agriculture (DA) mandated alternative wet and dry technology on rice cultivation, among other ways to resolve the incoming effects of El Niño on rice production.

In a statement, the DA reported that the agency held cluster meetings for the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program to explore and fine-tune intervention strategies to address the prolonged dry spell which will last until the second quarter of 2024.

This included the substitute technology that could reduce the amount of water required for rice cultivation.

They have also talked about deploying interventions such as seeds, fertilizer discount vouchers, and soil amelioration and bio-control agents to be utilized during the hot season.

“[We are] already implementing the agri-input assistance and scaling of rice technologies,” the DA said.

During the meeting, they also considered exploring better seeds to counteract the impact of rising temperatures on rice yield.

“It is estimated that a one degree Celsius increase in temperature on rice [yield] by 10 percent, while rice needs solar radiation for carbohydrate assimilation, low temperature is preferred for optimum yield,” the agency explained.

The cluster meetings were authorized by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. as part of the Special Order 1516 to gather groups from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao to maximize capabilities and productivity of the government during the 2023 to 2024 dry season.

The dry spell for rice began last December and will stretch out until May when the fields require more water from the irrigation systems.

According to the DA, it takes about five liters of water to produce only a kilo of rice.

Currently, around 275,000 hectares of rice fields are found vulnerable to El Niño. However, early signs suggested that this amount could lessen due to the high water elevation from dams that help irrigate the areas.

The Masagana Rice Program aims to increase rice productivity and resiliency through climate change adaptation measures; achieve economies of scale, more efficient operations, and agribusiness clustering and consolidation[ implement digital transformation for rice; and instill a "Triple A" approach which includes agricultural production, agribusiness, and agritourism.