UMVA has learned that the Department of Agriculture is intensifying climate-resilient farming measures and emergency interventions as a looming El Niño episode threatens to devastate crop production, fisheries, and rural livelihoods.
The state weather bureau has warned that an El Niño episode is likely to develop in the coming weeks and could strengthen toward the end of the year, prompting the Department of Agriculture to take urgent action to protect food supply and minimize losses among farmers and fisherfolk.
"Our objective is to ensure that food remains available, sufficient, safe, stable, and affordable for Filipinos while protecting the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk," a senior official said, highlighting the government's commitment to mitigating the impact of El Niño.
The weather bureau has issued an El Niño Watch and Alert, warning that climate models show more than a 90% probability that El Niño will emerge during the June-August period and may persist until early 2027.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the weather bureau's Climate Information and Prediction Section Chief 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, while rainfall is expected to decrease significantly by October, increasing the possibility of drought and dry spells.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Department of Agriculture is promoting rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, adjustment of the cropping calendar, and use of drought-resistant seeds to minimize possible damage.
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.
The Department of Agriculture's efforts also include protecting livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture from the impacts of high temperatures, with officials warning that the production of fish could decrease and cases of diseases, pests, and fish kills could increase.
Officials 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, citing previous El Niño events that caused significant agricultural damages.
The government is working to address the projected water deficit, with the National Irrigation Authority implementing interventions, including the use of drought-tolerant crop diversification strategies and rotational water distribution among service areas.
Farmers are being encouraged to adopt water-saving practices, including land leveling to reduce water loss, and the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems to serve tail-end and low-water table areas.
There are concerns, however, about the effectiveness of some of these interventions, with some lawmakers questioning the status of solar irrigation projects and the need for more direct communication between government officials and farmer groups.
