The damage and losses to agriculture sector due to El Niño have gone up to ₱357.4 million, according to the Department of Agriculture's (DA) bulletin released Sunday, February 25.
DA said the estimated damage and losses to rice, corn, and high-value crops were recorded in 6,523 hectares of land in the Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
"Potential production losses from 6,523 hectares affected by the dry spell are estimated at 11,480 metric tons for palay, 2,897 MT for corn, and 225 MT for high-value crops," it said.
The total value loss in rice fields stands at ₱284.27 million, corn at ₱60.70 million, and high-value crops at ₱12.41 million.
To assist affected farmers, the agriculture department said it will distribute vegetable seeds in Western Visayas and Ilocos Regions and planting materials for high-value crops in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
DA also said that it has "started cloud-seeding operations to ease water shortage" in collaboration with concerned government agencies, adding that it will soon promote drought-resistant crops and pest-control efforts.
Moreover, it bared that it is considering the use of solar-powered irrigation systems in drought-vulnerable areas.
The Philippines is presently experiencing a strong and mature El Niño, as per state weather bureau PAGASA's latest monitoring.
"Strong El Niño is expected to continue through Dec-Jan 2024. Majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until March-April-May 2024 season with a transition to ENSO-neutral in April-May-June 2024 season," it said.
