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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Sugar producers push cloud seeding as drought threatens output

Sugar producers push cloud seeding as drought threatens output

Published Apr 9, 2026 08:40 pm
United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) has called on the government to implement intervention measures such as cloud seeding to counter the impact of dry conditions on sugar production.
UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said Negros Occidental province, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the country’s total sugar output, is experiencing dry conditions brought about by the onset of El Niño.
He warned that such a dry spell could threaten sugar production, which is already on a slight decline in the current crop year 2025 to 2026.
Based on Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) data, domestic sugar output reached 1.35 million metric tons (MT) as of March 22, down four percent from 1.41 million MT in crop year 2024 to 2025.
“The lack of sufficient rainfall is adversely affecting crop growth, reducing yield potential, and increasing the risk of substantial economic losses,” said Lamata.
If the government opts not to intervene, he said it would jeopardize the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of sugar farmers and workers.
This comes at a time when farmers are already facing a significant financial burden due to rising fuel prices, making operations and logistics more costly.
On top of this, millsite prices of sugar remain below their previous levels. SRA data showed that prices are down more than 17 percent to ₱2,284 per 50-kilogram (LKg) bag, compared with ₱2,767 per LKg a year ago.
As such, Lamata urged the Department of Agriculture (DA), SRA, and Negros Occidental’s provincial government to consider implementing cloud seeding operations in response to the dry conditions.
“Immediate cloud seeding intervention is crucial to help alleviate water scarcity, support irrigation needs, and mitigate the negative impact of drought on sugarcane production,” he said.
Cloud seeding is a process of weather modification that disperses substances like salt or dry ice into clouds to help trigger precipitation and induce rain.
Through cloud seeding, UNIFED expects the preservation of current crops, as well as the stability and sustainability of the sugar industry in the coming months.
For its part, SRA said it is prepared to implement cloud seeding operations, pending coordination with local government units (LGUs).

Related Tags

Department of Agriculture (DA) Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Negros Occidental
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