Even if heavy rains and typhoons are still experienced in many parts of the country, the Department of Agriculture has ramped up its preparations for the coming El Nino late this year until March and April 2024.

This is based on the updates of the different DA and National Irrigation Administration regional offices during the series of meetings from 10-12 October 2023 to check on their preparation for the coming cropping period.

The DA uses the El Nino risk maps prepared by PhilRice and the PAGASA rainfall forecast to plan its activities and provide farmers advisories.

Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian for Rice Industry Development said the DA is working closely with the National Irrigation Authority to optimize production in irrigated areas, where El Nino is said to bring higher yields because of intense solar radiation (beneficial for rice growth and palay harvest and quality).

Sebastian said this covers about a million hectares. Hybrid seeds, fertilizers, and other interventions would be deployed in areas with sufficient irrigation.

In areas where the predicted rainfall could be below what is required for rice production, the DA works closely with farmer clusters to be ready with supplemental water sources like groundwater.

"Farmers in these areas are also encouraged to plant early so that by January to February, when El Nino's impact starts to be felt, they are already harvesting their crops," the DA official said.

Sebastian also asked the regional field officials to deploy hybrid and inbred rice seeds, fertilizers, biofertilizers, and other interventions early to the clustered farms for timely planting. In areas historically hit by severe dryness from previous El Nino episodes.

"The farmers would be encouraged to shift to other crops like vegetables that require less water. PhilRice has identified areas affected by the drought based on previous El Nino episodes in the country," Sebastian further stressed.

As of 12 October, the DA has identified– based on the list submitted by the NIA 2565 irrigators associations (IAs) forming as target clusters involving 497,123 farmers tilling a total area of 575,137.11 hectares. These clusters are located in NIA national systems and communal irrigation systems.