El Niño farm damage in WVisayas reaches P2.9 B
ILOILO CITY — The Department of Agriculture Western Visayas (DA-6) reported that the El Niño phenomenon and the dry season have left a total damage of P2.9 billion in the region.
“El Niño has significantly impacted the Western Visayas region, leading to substantial agricultural damage and economic losses. Reports indicate that the phenomenon has caused approximately P2.9 billion in losses across the region, heavily affecting rice and corn crops,” said DA-6 Director Dennis Arpia.
DA-6 data showed that the dry conditions adversely affected 84,181 farmers and about 122,702 hectares of farmland.
This resulted in 74 local government units in the region declaring calamity states due to the prolonged dry conditions and water shortage.
Despite the adverse effects of El Niño on other crops, Arpia said mango production in Guimaras province has increased due to the prolonged dry season.
The Bureau of Plant Industry noted an increased inspection and issuance of regulatory documents for domestic and international mango movement from Panay and Guimaras Islands from January to April of 2022 to 2024.
“There has been a notable rise in mango transport in 2024 alone, the bureau inspected 80.57 metric tons (MT) of mangoes for domestic movement and 0.36 MT for export. GS International exported 352.79 kilograms of fresh mangoes to Switzerland,” said Arpia.
Meanwhile, Arpia said the fisheries industry incurred a total damage of P49 million as reported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The DA-6 has encouraged farmers and fisherfolk to obtain insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) by visiting the local Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs).
PCIC on May 1 started accepting insurance applications through MAOs for farmers who want to insure their rice and corn crops and livestock for the current wet or first cropping season.
As of May 31, PCIC had distributed indemnity payments totaling P391 million, with P50 million attributed to drought. In 2023, PCIC reported a total indemnity payout of P972 million.