DA ADOPTS LOW-WATER-USE TECH

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for the adoption of low-water-use technologies to mitigate the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

DA Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols Manalo said that the adoption of low-water-use technologies including the alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and quick turn around (QTA) is under way.

“AWD is a water-saving technology that rice farmers can apply to reduce their water use in irrigated fields,” Manalo said in a statement on Friday.

“On the other hand, QTA is a strategy wherein all rice farms after harvest shall quickly replant immediately without waiting for the months of the succeeding planting season to begin,” he added.

These techniques align with Executive Order (EO) 53 that aims to streamline and revive the former El Niño task forces for disaster preparedness and rehabilitation.

Latest reports from the DA said it has successfully engaged with over a million farmers to adopt watersaving technologies across nearly 15,000 hectares of rice fields.

Manalo added that they are overseeing replanting efforts in over 5,500 hectares of rice fields, with plans to expand to over 26,000 hectares.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued EO 53 on January 19, instructing the task force to create a thorough disaster preparedness and recovery strategy for El Niño and La Niña. The aim is to provide structured, thorough and efficient measures to help the public deal with the effects of the weather patterns.

The El Niño task force is chaired by Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. with Science Secretary Renato Solidum as cochairman and includes various government officials to address the challenges posed by El Niño and La Niña.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan were also designated as task force members.