DA prepares safeguards vs El Niño impact on farms

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced it is preparing a coordinated, data-driven plan to respond to and manage the potential impact of a possible El Niño later in 2026 on the country’s agriculture sector.

In a statement, the DA said the plan builds on lessons from the 2024 dry spell and focuses on readiness, coordination, and timely interventions.

“We are taking early steps to prepare for possible El Niño conditions,” said DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher Morales.

“This is about readiness and reducing potential impacts on farmers and production,” he added.

The DA said a key component of the preparation plan is the assessment of irrigation systems to identify areas that may be affected by reduced water availability.

In coordination with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the agency is evaluating major irrigation systems, including Magat and the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), as well as other national systems.

The assessment aims to identify areas that may require water allocation adjustments, revised scheduling, or supplemental water management interventions.

The DA is also strengthening climate risk mapping, with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) updating maps of rainfed and seasonal farming areas.

These efforts are intended to support planning for planting calendars, crop selection, and water management under varying rainfall conditions.

Regional field offices are likewise reviewing local conditions using historical climate data and field validation to guide localized preparedness measures.

The agency said it has begun prepositioning agricultural inputs such as drought-tolerant seed varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation support to ensure availability when needed.

Existing support mechanisms—including crop insurance, access to credit, and market facilitation—are also being strengthened to help stabilize farmers’ incomes, the DA added.

The department is also evaluating the possible use of cloud seeding in selected areas, subject to technical assessment and favorable atmospheric conditions, as a supplementary measure in cases of significant rainfall deficits.

To improve coordination, the DA said the El Niño Task Force is being reactivated to align actions across agencies involved in water management and agricultural support, ensuring faster coordination and clearer implementation of response measures.

The agency added it is refining its 2024 El Niño response framework by incorporating field experience and addressing implementation gaps to improve planning under various climate scenarios and strengthen operational flexibility.

“These measures are aimed at strengthening preparedness and ensuring that support systems are in place to help farmers maintain productivity under changing weather conditions,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.—MCG, GMA News