Even before harvesting their current crops, many farmers in Nueva Ecija are already preparing for a second round of planting.

Over 61,000 hectares of rice fields in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces are now being irrigated by the National Irrigation Administration – Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS) in time for the second dry cropping season.

“This is part of what Administrator Guillen calls the ‘double dry’ program,” Engr. Gertrudes Viado, Department Manager of NIA-UPRIIS, said.

“Sa UPRIIS, dati ang programa lang namin sa 3rd crop ay 3,000 hectares. Pero ngayon, 61,985 hectares ang nakaprogram dahil sa inadjust namin,” she added.

The first dry crop started in November 2024 and covered 148,000 hectares.

Farmer Ferdinand Ramos said he earned only 16 sacks of palay during the last cropping season and is hopeful that this second crop will help him recover.

“Sana po tumaas po ang presyo ng palay sa susunod na anihan para po makabawi naman po ng konti ang mga magsasaka,” he said.

“Dati po kasi nung nakaraang taon sir, nag-bente po ang presyo. Mataas na po ‘yun. Ngayon po masyado pong mababa kaya marami pong nalugi, tulad po naming mga namomorsyentuhan lang,” he added.

In Division 6 alone, more than 8,500 hectares are being prepared for planting.

NIA aims to increase yields and incomes, especially since palay prices remain low. This program also supports the government’s goal to make the Philippines rice-sufficient.

Viado said farmers are also receiving modern agricultural training and access to new technologies.

“Marami silang trainings, hi-tech na kasi ngayon. Kaya lahat ‘yan ibinabahagi namin sa ating mga farmers,” she said.