Farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan have started preparing their fields for the next planting season, but agriculture officials are urging them to wait for the official cropping calendar to avoid problems with irrigation.

In Barangay Lanas, plowing is now underway as farmers get ready to plant rice by the last week of May.

Due to early rains, the soil is easier to work with, and water is already available in the fields.

“’Yung tubig namin dito ay hindi na natutuyo simula pa noong after ng 2nd cropping. Sa ngayon, may tubig pa naman kaya okey naman,” Rudy Ogoy, a farmer, said.

The Municipal Agriculture Office warned that planting too early could lead to losses if irrigation water becomes limited later in the season.

“Ang advice natin sa magsasaka, hintayin ang ibibigay na cropping calendar na magmumula sa National Irrigation Administration, para hindi tayo magkaproblema kung sakali man na walang pumatak na ulan. At least may sigurado tayong source of irrigation water,” Manuel Aquino, Rice Coordinator of the Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office, said.

According to Aquino, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) usually releases water into irrigation canals starting in June to support thousands of hectares of rice farms across Pangasinan.

Authorities hope that by following the recommended planting schedule, farmers can avoid shortages and ensure a successful harvest.