El Niño’s Toll on Philippine Agriculture: Damage Soars to P9.5B

Introduction: El Niño’s Devastating Impact

The agricultural sector in the Philippines has been hit hard by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, with damage and losses reaching nearly P10 billion as of mid-May 2024. The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported substantial impacts on crops and livelihoods across multiple regions, emphasizing the urgent need for effective interventions and support.

Scope of Damage

As of May 16, 2024, the total damage to agriculture due to El Niño has reached P9.5 billion. The adverse weather conditions have affected 163,694 hectares of agricultural land across 13 regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen. A total of 175,063 farmers and fisherfolk have been impacted by the drought and extreme heat.

Crop Losses: A Closer Look

In terms of crop volume, the damage is significant:

• Palay (rice): 185,561 metric tons (MT) lost
• Corn: 180,807 MT lost
• High-value crops: 48,949 MT lost
• Cassava: 147 MT lost

The affected rice area accounts for 83,862 hectares, representing 3.91% of the total target area planted of 2,137,046.77 hectares. The production loss for rice is about 2.01% of the target production of 9,218,358.28 MT for the 2024 dry cropping season.

For corn, the affected area stands at 66,950 hectares, or 6.08% of the total target area planted of 1,101,695.90 hectares. The production loss for corn is 4.02% of the target production of 4,493,026.90 MT for the same season.

Government Interventions

In response to the crisis, the DA has rolled out several interventions worth P9.71 billion to assist affected farmers and fisherfolk. These include:

• Financial Assistance: P8.59 billion through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
• Production Support: P658.22 million for agri-inputs, fertilizers, planting materials, pumps and engines, HDPE hose, and biological products, provided by DA Regional Field Offices.
• Mimaropa Region Assistance: Distribution of P8 million worth of rice machinery and equipment from DA-PHilMech, P77.50 million worth of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Loan from Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), P5.19 million worth of coconut seedlings from PCA, P65.35 million worth of composting facilities from DA Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), P294.46 million worth of irrigation projects from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and P8.99 million worth of marine machinery and equipment.
• Cloud Seeding Operations: Conducted in collaboration with DOST-PAGASA and DND-PAF in Southern Cagayan, Northern Isabela, Quirino corn areas, and Magat Reservoir in Region II.
• Water Supply Enhancements: Installation of 616 water pumps in Regions I, II, III, IV-B, VI, VII, and XI, concreting of 847.8 kilometers of irrigation canals, and desilting of 3,167.9 kilometers of irrigation canals nationwide.
• Livestock and Livelihood Support: Distribution of 66,039 native animals to 367 groups and 604 individual farmers through the Philippine Native Animal Development (PNAD) Program, and provision of 111 diversified alternative livelihoods and technologies to fisherfolk in CAR, Regions V, VII, and IX.

Insurance and Compensation

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation has indemnified affected farmers across various regions with a total compensation amounting to P176.52 million, offering some financial relief amidst the extensive losses.

Conclusion: A Call for Sustained Efforts

The devastating impact of El Niño on Philippine agriculture underscores the critical need for sustained government support and innovative solutions to enhance resilience against climate-related challenges. With significant financial aid and strategic interventions, the government aims to mitigate the adverse effects and support the recovery of the agriculture sector, ensuring food security and the well-being of farmers and fisherfolk.