The agricultural damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon has now reached P6.35 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
But DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they are expecting a minimal increase--if there is any-- in agricultural damage figure since the harvest season especially for palay in almost all parts of the country is already almost complete.
“Kung madagdagan man [ang damage to Agriculture due to El Niño] napaka kaunti na lang siguro sa mga lugar na mayroon pa (If there are any additional damages to agriculture due to El Niño, it would probably be very minimal, especially in areas that still have some),” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, the spokesperson of the DA, said over the weekend.
“Kasi tapos na rin ‘yung harvest ng palay and we’re already preparing doon sa ating taniman pagdating ng wet season na nag-start din ngayong buwan ng Mayo (Because the rice harvest has concluded, and we're now getting ready for planting as the wet season, which began this May),” he went on.
Based on the latest monitoring of the DA, a total of 121,389 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected by El Niño.
The agency said a total of 111,702 hectares of agricultural areas were affected in 12 affected regions, including Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.
According to the DA, the production losses in the affected agricultural regions amount to 134,828 metric tons (MT) for rice, a total of 105,896 MT for corn, 28,956 MT for high-value crops, and around 140 MT for cassava, totaling 269,416 MT.
“The increase in reported values include additional reports from CAR, Ilocos, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Soccsksargen regions,” the agriculture department stated.
The DA reported that the rice fields impacted, covering 60,772 hectares, represent 2.84 percent of the total target planting area of 2,137,046.77 hectares.
Meanwhile, the agency noted the loss of 134,828 MT in production equates to roughly 1.46 percent of the targeted output of 9,218,358.28 MT.
Assistance
El Niño-affected farmers and fishers have been provided with a total of P2.37 billion worth of interventions, the DA said.
According to the DA, it gave financial assistance totaling P1.26 billion through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) in Regions II, IV-B and XII.
The DA Regional Field Offices have reportedly provided P658.22 M worth of assistance for production support (agri-inputs, fertilizers, planting materials, pumps and engines, HDPE hose, drugs and biologics).
In Mimaropa, the agriculture department said it has distributed various forms of assistance. Such includes P8 million worth of rice machinery and equipment provided by DA-PHilMech, P77.50 million worth of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Loan facilitated by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and P5.19 million worth of coconut seedlings distributed by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). Additionally, the DA Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) allocated P65.35 million for composting facilities, while the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) implemented irrigation projects valued at P294.46 million. Moreover, P8.99 million worth of marine machinery and equipment were also distributed within the same region to bolster agricultural activities.
Also, the DA said they are currently conducting ongoing cloud seeding operations in collaboration with DOST-PAGASA and DND-PAF. These operations are taking place in Southern Cagayan, Northern Isabela, the corn areas of Quirino, and the vicinity of Magat Reservoir in Region II.
In addition, the DA said it has undertaken significant efforts to improve water access and distribution across various regions, including the installation of 616 water pumps in Regions I, II, III, IV-B, VI, VII, and XI to enhance water supply.
The DA has also concreted 847.8 kilometers of irrigation canals nationwide, aimed at improving water distribution in agricultural areas.
Extensive desilting efforts have been conducted, covering a total of 3,167.9 kilometers of irrigation canals, contributing to enhanced water flow throughout the country, it added.
As part of its initiatives, the agency has dispersed 66,039 native animals to 367 groups and 604 individual farmers across the country via the Philippine Native Animal Development (PNAD) Program. Furthermore, to address potential setbacks, the DA has allocated 111 varied alternative livelihoods and technologies to fisherfolk in CAR, Regions V, VII, and IX.
Farmers in CAR, Region I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XII have received indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), amounting to P67.93 million, the DA stated.
Gearing for La Niña
With the looming arrival of the La Niña phenomenon, the agriculture department has instructed its field offices nationwide to brace for the adverse impacts of La Niña.
On May 9, DA Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols Manalo said La Niña’s agricultural damage is expected to be more massive than the damage caused by the dry spell.
“Mas malaki yung damage ng La Niña [kumpara sa damage ng El Niño] ( The damage caused by La Niña is bigger compared to the damage caused by El Niño),” he said.
The DA, he said, has been coordinating with farmer groups for drainage water management for farms.
Manalo said the agency is now looking into areas that have been affected by La Niña in its past 16 episodes in the country.
In the Philippines, above-average rainfall is usually brought about by La Niña. This may result in an upsurge in flooding, landslides, and agricultural damage.
La Niña is not all bad as it replenishes water reserves and helps agriculture in areas where crops depend on regular rainfall.