With the potential “super” El Niño looming.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), it has come up with a preparedness plan to help the agriculture sector manage potential dry conditions that might come later in the year due to the El Niño season.
“The plan builds on lessons from the 2024 dry spell and focuses on readiness, coordination, and timely interventions,” the department noted.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted, “These measures are aimed at strengthening preparedness and ensuring that support systems are in place to help farmers maintain productivity under changing weather conditions.”
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Engr. Christopher Morales said, “We are taking early steps to prepare for possible El Niño conditions. This is about readiness and reducing potential impacts on farmers and production.”
At the center of the preparations is the engagement of concerned DA programs and regional offices with partner agencies to help safeguard agricultural production and support farmers’ incomes should dry conditions develop.
A key component of the plan is the assessment of irrigation systems to identify areas that may be affected by reduced water availability.
The DA, in coordination with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) that is now under the Office of the President, is assessing major irrigation systems to identify areas that may require water allocation adjustments, scheduling measures, or supplemental water management interventions.
The list includes Magat, the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), and other national systems.
Parallel to that, the climate-risk mapping is being strengthened to support planning for planting calendars, crop choices, and water management under varying rainfall conditions.
Led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), together with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), maps of rainfed and seasonal farming areas are now being updated.
Meanwhile, thebDA Regional Field Offices are surveying local conditions using historical climate data and field validation to guide localized preparedness measures.
Agricultural support inputs such as drought-tolerant seed varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation assistance are being prepositioned to ensure availability when needed.
As regards to existing support mechanisms, including crop insurance, access to credit, and market facilitation, these are also being strengthened to help stabilize farmers’ incomes.
Moreover, the agency said it is also “evaluating the possible use of cloud seeding in selected areas,” subject to technical assessment and suitable atmospheric conditions, as a “supplementary measure” in cases of significant rainfall deficits.
To improve coordination, the El Niño Task Force is also being reactivated to align actions across agencies involved in water management and agricultural support.
Lastly, the DA is also revisiting and refining its 2024 El Niño response framework. Field experience and implementation gaps are being incorporated into it to improve planning under different climate scenarios and strengthen operational flexibility.