75K farmers in Bicol to bear brunt of El Niño
AT least 75,000 farmers planting rice, corn and high-value crops in 75,000 hectares in Bicol region are likely to be affected by hotter weather brought by the weak El Niño affecting the country right now, according to Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the assessment of the DA regional field office (RFO) V, rice farmers would be the most affected by the weather phenomenon.
The DA-RFO V projected that 44,952 hectares of rice farms and 45,383 rice farmers are “vulnerable and likely to be affected” by El Niño.
“For corn, an estimated 28,918 hectares and 28,921 farmers are
also expected to be affected. These are mostly the rainfed and upland areas and those at the tail end of irrigation systems,” the DA-RFO V said in a news release on Tuesday.
For high-value crops, the DARFO V said about 484 hectares and 916 farmers are likely to be affected.
The DA-RFO V said it has prepared contingency measures following the directive of Rodel P. Tornilla, the OIC-regional technical director for operations and Extensions.
“The first strategy will be maximization of production in less vulnerable areas. The second is saving production in vulnerable areas and the third will focus on rehabilitation of affected areas,” it said.
The DA-RFO V said they have received reports that some towns in the region are already experiencing a “long dry spell with below normal rainfall.”
The DA-RFO V said it has already requested P28 million from the DA Central Office, which will be used to provide fuel subsidy to farmers who will be likely affected by El Niño.
“Moreover, it targets to install an additional 200 units of Pump Irrigation from Open Sources [Pisos]. To forestall pest infestation pesticides, insecticides and fungicides will be distributed to rice farmers,” it said.
“Similarly for corn farmers and HVCDP fuel subsidy, distribution of Pisos are being considered as interventions along with distribution of sprinklers and HDPE pipes and plastic drums for HVCDP farmers,” it added.
The DA-RFO V said it will also provide farmers in less vulnerable areas with planting inputs such as high-yielding palay seeds, hybrid corn seeds, fertilizers and vegetable seeds.
The office is now also promoting drought-tolerant rice varieties and drought-mitigating technologies to combat hotter temperature which is expected to peak in May.
It bared plans to intensify its “irrigation support for small irrigation systems such as the Shallow Tube Wells, Small Water Impounding Projects, Diversion dams, solar pump, wind pump, drip irrigation, drums, etc.”
The DA-RFO V said cloud-seeding is not a recommended measure in the region as it may affect productivity of other crops such as mango. The regional office also noted that the hotter temperature would also detrimentally affect the livestock and poultry sectors.
“The occurrence of El Niño might also cause heat stress to livestock and poultry production, as well as affect the pasture areas for small and large ruminants,” it said.
“The regional office has thus buffer-stocked vitamins, biologics, dewormers. It has also provisions for feed supplements,” it added.
Damage to the farmer sector caused by El Niño has more than tripled to over P460 million, from the initial estimate of P150 million, according to the latest report by the DA.
The DA report indicated that 16,034 Filipino rice and corn farmers in six regions have incurred losses amounting to P464.27 million.
El Niño has affected 13,679 hectares of rice and corn farms in Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The total production loss was placed at 22,918 metric tons.