Batac distributes 1,100 water pumps, 890 irrigation hoses to farmers amid El Niño

The city government of Batac in Ilocos Norte has distributed 1,100 water pumps and 890 irrigation hoses to registered farmers to help sustain agricultural production amid worsening dry conditions associated with El Niño.

The distribution, held Wednesday at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Barangay Quiling Sur, forms part of the local government's efforts to improve farmers' access to water and minimize potential crop losses.

Mayor Mark Christian Chua urged the beneficiaries to properly maintain the equipment and maximize its use to support their farming activities, particularly as water availability becomes increasingly critical during the dry spell.

The city government said the assistance is intended to help farmers maintain irrigation and continue cultivating their lands despite prolonged periods of limited rainfall.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte is also pursuing measures to address the effects of El Niño, including the rehabilitation and improvement of irrigation facilities, development of alternative water sources and distribution of agricultural inputs.

Farmers are likewise being encouraged to adopt climate-resilient farming practices, consider alternative crops requiring less water and make efficient use of available resources.

The interventions come as several farming communities in the province face drought-related challenges, particularly rice farmers whose fields have no access to irrigation facilities.

Local governments are continuing to coordinate with agricultural agencies and farming communities to strengthen water access and help protect livelihoods from the effects of prolonged dry conditions.