El Niño’s Toll on Philippine Agriculture Rises to Over P150 Million

The agriculture sector in the Philippines has witnessed an escalation in damage and losses totaling P151.3 million due to the persisting El Niño phenomenon. This figure marks a significant increase from the P109.4 million reported at the end of January, affecting a substantial volume of palay (unmilled rice) and corn across 3,291 hectares.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has identified around 3,923 farmers in the Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula as victims of these adverse conditions. The damage, primarily affecting rice and corn during their reproductive stages, underscores the vulnerability of these staple crops to extreme weather patterns.

El Niño, which commenced in July 2023 as confirmed by PAGASA, is anticipated to continue until at least April 2024 according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has projected a potential loss of 1.5 million metric tons of palay, emphasizing the significant threat this climate event poses to food security.

In an effort to mitigate the impact, the DA has allocated P1 million towards providing assistance to the affected farmers. Initiatives include the distribution of vegetable seeds in the Western Visayas and sourcing of planting materials for high-value crops requiring less water in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Additionally, cloud-seeding operations have been initiated as part of a broader strategy to counter the dry spell’s effects on agricultural production.

Despite these challenges, the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sectors reported a modest growth of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023, contributing to an overall annual increase of 0.7%. This resilience in the face of adversity highlights the importance of ongoing support and innovative strategies to safeguard the nation’s agricultural livelihoods and food supply.