DA ramps up climate measures ahead of expected El Niño

By Pexcel John Bacon

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is intensifying climate-resilient farming measures and emergency interventions as the state weather bureau warned that an El Niño episode is likely to develop in the coming weeks and could strengthen toward the end of the year, threatening crop production, fisheries, and rural livelihoods.

In a briefing before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, DA Assistant Secretary U-Nichols A. Manalo said the agency is implementing measures aimed at protecting food supply and minimizing losses among farmers and fisherfolk as the country braces for the effects of the climate phenomenon.

“Our objective is to ensure that food remains available, sufficient, safe, stable, and affordable for Filipinos while protecting the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk,” Mr. Manalo told lawmakers.

The briefing formed part of discussions on government plans, programs, and interventions under the Task Force El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the country remains under El Niño Southern Oscillation-Neutral conditions; but while this is the case, climate models show more than a 90% probability that El Niño will emerge during the June-August period.

“Majority of climate models suggest that El Niño will emerge soon with more than 90% probability this June-July-August season and may persist until early 2027,” PAGASA Climate Information and Prediction Section Chief Ana Liza S. Solis said.

According to PAGASA, they issued an El Niño Watch on March 23 and an El Niño Alert on April 22 after conditions became more favorable for the phenomenon to develop.

The agency also said that El Niño could start as a weak event before strengthening to a strong event by September to November, with an increasing possibility of reaching the very strong category by the end of the year.

The bureau added that most parts of the country are expected to experience near-normal rainfall from June to September, but some areas may experience above-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon. However, rainfall is expected to decrease significantly by October, increasing the possibility of drought and dry spells.

“Dry condition and dry spells will likely start in October-November while prolonged dry spells will be highly likely early part of 2027,” Ms. Solis said.

Mr. Manalo said that not only crops but also livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture could be affected due to high temperatures. According to him, the production of fish, such as crabs, could decrease and cases of diseases, pests, and fish kills could increase.

“Even our livestock experience stress, and our fisheries are also affected because warmer waters can lead to fish kill incidents,” he said.

The official also emphasized that El Niño does not mean there will be no more rain, and that strong storms that will cause flooding and landslides are still possible.

He cited the 2023 El Niño accompanied by strong typhoons that caused about P12 billion in agricultural damages, and the 2009-2010 El Niño that reached an estimated P17.4 billion in losses.

AGRI INTERVENTIONS
According to the department, major rice and corn-producing provinces such as Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, and Occidental Mindoro are among those most frequently affected by drought during El Niño.

To minimize possible damage, the agency is promoting rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, adjustment of the cropping calendar, and use of drought-resistant seeds.

Mr. Manalo also said that the agency is also providing crop insurance, survival and recovery load programs, and financial assistance for affected farmers and fisherfolk, while coordinating with other government agencies and local governments to assist communities potentially affected by the prolonged drought.

To address the projected water deficit, Officer-in-Charge Administrator Reyne B. Ugay of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) said the agency is implementing interventions, including the use of drought-tolerant crop diversification strategies such as planting mung beans and other short-duration crops.

Mr. Ugay said the irrigation system will also implement rotational water distribution among service areas, along with “double dry” cropping schemes that aim to maximize production even during limited water availability periods.

Farmers are likewise being encouraged to adopt water saving practices in field preparation, including land leveling to reduce water loss.

Mr. Ugay said that the agency is also expanding physical interventions, including the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems to serve tail-end and low-water table areas, particularly through shallow tube wells and surface water sources.

Meanwhile, Pangasinan Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas questioned the NIA regarding the solar irrigation projects, particularly the alleged discrepancy between the status of projects when shown in budget hearings and the actual situation in the areas.

According to Ms. Arenas, there are times when projects that are presented as “proposed” in the hearings are discovered to be completed upon actual visits to the areas.

She also encouraged the DA to intensify its engagement with farmers groups even outside budget season, through regular consultations and meetings to promptly address issues in the programs.

Ms. Arenas stressed that direct communication between regional officials and farmer groups is important to avoid confusion and expedite the resolution of concerns in the agriculture sector.