Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said last week the government should begin preparing for the importation of rice, corn and even animal feeds in anticipation of the huge gap in the supplies of agricultural crops due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Figures from the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that crop damage resulting from the dry spell, which is expected to last until June, could reach between P10 billion and P15 billion this year. But under severe conditions, El Niño could wipe up P20.46 billion worth of agricultural production.
As of February 24, damage to crops was placed at P3.8 billion, up by P973 million from a week ago, as reported by the DA.
The DA said hardest hit by drought was the corn subsector at P2 billion, palay (unhusked rice) at P1.7 billion and high-value commercial crops, including vegetables and fruits, at P1.3 million.
Despite assurances by Malacanang that there is adequate rice stocks for domestic consumption, the National Food Authority says it is ready to import more if necessary. The grains agency estimates rice importation to hit 2.48 million tons, up from the 2.4 million tons recorded in 2008 when prices of rice peaked at $1,080 per ton.
The dry spell has so far affected Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Masbate, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Basilan, said the DA.
Enrile, who is running for reelection under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, said that while the government has set aside money for cloud seeding and funds to help farmers and fisherfolk survive the long dry spell, these were only stop gap measures to mitigate the immediate impact of El Niño.
"In the long term, kailangan natin planuhin ang lahat… para hindi tayo ganito na natataranta kapag may El Niño," the veteran legislator said.
Ealier, the Senate chief has sought additional budget for the agriculture sector to improve the irrigation system, boost water conservation, rehabilitate infrastructure, replant trees, and educate farmers and fisherfolk, among others. /MP
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