The Department of Agriculture (DA) will double support for rice farmers in areas expected to have more water during the looming super El Niño, as the government prepares for potential losses from extreme heat and agricultural drought
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the strategy will focus on shifting more interventions to palay-producing areas that are less vulnerable to severe water shortages.
“But there are areas na mas maraming tubig than usual, doon tayo magdo-double down ngayon ng (which has more water than the usual, that’s where we will double down on our) interventions,” Tiu Laurel said Thursday.
The areas include rice plantations in southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
The DA plans to provide more seeds and fertilizer support in these areas to help offset possible production losses in regions more severely affected by drought.
“More seeds per hectare, more fertilizer support para ‘yung deficit dito sa isang area, i-increase sa kabila (so that the deficit in some areas will be offset by the other),” Tiu Laurel said.
The strategy comes as agricultural drought is expected to affect major rice-producing areas during the peak of El Niño.
Among the areas that could face reduced soil moisture are the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Western Mindoro.
For farmers in these areas, Tiu Laurel said the government would provide support through a whole-of-government approach involving the DA and local government units.
“Those areas we just have to support the farmers, whatever way possible – that’s the whole of government and local government units,” he said.
The DA has projected potential palay production losses of about 700,000 metric tons due to the strong El Niño, possible weather disturbances and the effects of higher global fuel and fertilizer prices.
The projected losses are higher than the historical annual average of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons.
The DA’s strategy aims to protect the country’s rice supply by directing more agricultural assistance to areas that can continue producing despite the expected extreme weather conditions while supporting farmers in drought-affected regions.
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