In Spite Of Strong El Nino, Department of Agriculture Sees Slight Decrease In Farm Yield

In spite of the strong El Niño that has been battering the entire nation since September last year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is optimistic that only a small percentage decrease in agricultural production will be felt.

From February 2015 to March 2016, some 313,356 hectares of land planted to rice and corn were reportedly affected by the weather phenomenon. This was 231,666 hectares less than the affected areas during the 2009-2010 dry spell.

The minimal damage, according to agri experts, may be attributed to the prompt distribution of support and assistance, as well as the dissemination of information to farmers.

DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said that farmers knew better now and opted not to plant crops that were most susceptible to drought.

This time, he said, farmers grew drought-resistant crops including peanut, mongo, soybean and sweet potato, which reduced the chances of damage and loss.

At the onset of El Niño, the DA has laid-out adaptation strategies to cushion the impact of the season — deemed to be the driest and hottest of the year (2015-2016).

These include reinforced irrigation and water management, as well as intensified pest management and surveillance initiatives.

For aquatic resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it had been in full command of monitoring and management activities — keeping a close watch on all operations for both the fish capture and fish culture subsectors.

Aside from these, the crop insurance system was enhanced. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) provides insurance protection to farmers against losses incurred from natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations.

Under PCIC’s crop insurance program for rice, a farmer may get indemnity ranging from Php 41,000-Php65,000 for the cost of production per hectare.

On top of all of these, the DA has steadily provided seed and vaccine support to the most affected communities.

Meanwhile, cloud seeding, which is one of the most effective El Niño adaptation strategies, continues to bring in positive results.

In Mindanao, particularly in SOCCSKSARGEN, Alcala said he had called for additional hours of sorties, following a successful series of cloud seeding.

In other parts of the country, cloud seeding operations have already taken off — resulting in scattered rain showers that provided a refreshing break for the arid farmlands.

But more than adaptation, Alcala said, the government continued to look for long-term and permanent solutions to the repetitive dilemma that is the El Niño.

As the DA dons full battle gear to combat the effects of drought, the nation is encouraged to take action as well.

As per PAGASA report, El Niño will reach its peak this March, with 19 provinces in Southern Philippines taking the havoc of the drought.

These include Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu.

Two provinces in the Visayas (Negros Oriental and Siquijor), and one in Luzon (Palawan) will also be greatly affected.

Dry spell will continue to linger in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao particularly in Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte. (PNA) RMA/LGI