DA seeks addt’l P600M budget to prepare for El Niño

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking for an additional budget of P600 million to prepare for the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon next year.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said this will be on top of the P74.1 billion budget of the DA next year since the impending dry spell was not anticipated at the time of the drafting of the agency’s 2013 budget.

El Niño is beneficial to palay yield due to its high photosynthesis level, but can be destructive if occuring for a prolonged period.

The weather bureau warned the dry spell may begin in October and last until December. Below average rainfall is already being felt in the province of Bohol where cloud seeding has been conducted over rice fields.

Threat to rice production?

The dry spell could threaten rice production especially at a time when the government aims to recover production loses caused by weather disturbances in July and August.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics projects that 3rd and 4th quarter palay production may reach 3.56 million metric tons (MT), and 6.36 million MT, respectively for a total of 9.92 million MT in the second half of 2012. This is higher by 8.9% than last year’s second half production level of 9.11 million MT.

Due to incessant rains in July and August, third quarter rice production may be cut. However, production loses could be recovered in the third cropping this month in time for the fourth quarter harvest in December.

Alcala advised farmers to be prudent in their use of water. The department is also teaching farmers how to perform wet and dry cropping for rice.

He added that the government will install shallow tube wells in strategic locations to increase water collection through rain catchment and to regulate the release of water as needed. – Rappler.com