By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Agricultural losses from El Niño have climbed to ₱8.57 billion, affecting more than 288,000 farmers and damaging over 291,000 hectares of farmland, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operations Center.
The agency reported that the prolonged dry conditions have resulted in 220,307 metric tons of lost production across rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock and poultry.
Corn sustained the heaviest reported losses, valued at ₱5 billion, after production fell by 132,290 metric tons. The damage affected 173,068 hectares of farmland.
Rice losses reached 71,408 metric tons, equivalent to 0.73 percent of the 9.7-million-metric-ton second-semester production target for 2026. The resulting losses were valued at ₱2.95 billion, affecting 112,852 hectares.
Cassava production suffered an estimated 159 metric tons in losses, worth ₱5 million, with 143 hectares affected.
The dry spell also impacted 6,690 livestock and poultry animals, including swine, carabao, ducks, chickens, goats, cattle, turkeys and geese. The reported losses amounted to ₱37.75 million.
Affected agricultural areas span 15 regions, including Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao and Caraga.
To help farmers recover, the Department of Agriculture said it had released ₱11.34 billion in assistance. Of this amount, ₱10.81 billion went to production support, including seeds, fertilizers and soil conditioners. Another ₱569.95 million covered crop insurance for 68,980 farmers, while 95,841 livestock and poultry heads were distributed to farmer groups.
The agency also carried out cloud seeding in Region 2, including the Magat Dam area, and Region 6. A total of 338 water pumps were installed across Regions 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6 and 9 to support irrigation and water access.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its October 7 advisory, reported that a strong to very strong El Niño was present in the Tropical Pacific. The phenomenon was expected to persist through the first half of 2027, with a possible peak before the end of 2026.
The agriculture department said it would continue monitoring weather conditions, validating field reports and coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Rice Research Institute and Bureau of Soils and Water Management, alongside Kadiwa operations to help maintain access to affordable food.
ia/xf
