At A Glance
- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that rice fields in Zamboanga del Norte has already lost around P717,500 due to the ongoing El Niño effects.<br>DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said 22 farmers and 22.25 hectares of rice were affected by the dry spell.<br>DA reassured that there is an ample rice supply to last until March, as importations are expected to continue arriving until February.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that the persistent El Niño phenomenon is beginning to take a toll on rice paddies in Zamboanga del Norte.
In a statement, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said a total of P717,500 has been lost as a result of the ongoing dry spell in Zamboanga del Norte, impacting 22 farmers and covering 22.25 hectares of rice fields.
According to the DA Regional Field Office IX findings, the losses occurred during the vegetative phase of the rice or in the early stages of planting.
“Majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until March to May of 2024,” DA-DRRMS said.
The agency said it is now taking steps to reduce the impact of El Niño, including assessing vulnerable areas and preparing for cloud seeding operations.
Moreover, the DA-DRRMS is identifying interventions to assist farmers with issues affecting rice plants and analyzing irrigation status to alleviate the effects of the ongoing dry spell.
Last month, the DA announced that the department was formulating plans in response to the weather phenomenon.
To bolster the buffer stock, the DA also said that the private sector will importing rice, with an expected half a million metric tons of the staple set to arrive by February.
The DA said these imports will sufficiently meet demand for rice until March or the next harvest season.