NEGROS Occidental can still recover its rice production output this year amid the damage and losses brought by El Niño, said Renato Manantan, regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR).
Manantan said it has been about four months that the rice production in the country, including Negros Occidental, have been affected by the worsening effects of El Niño thus, it is unlikely to meet the national target production of 19 million metric tons this year.
“It is already sure that rice production output will reduce as the first four months have become too dry more than we expected,” he said.
Damage and production losses to the province’s rice sector has been valued at almost P212 million, based on the latest report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
This covers 6,924 affected farmers with a total area of 6,049.41 hectares from 21 local government units.
OPA had earlier said that rice production in the production is already in a critical level, if based only on the current cropping period.
However, DA-NIR said that losses incurred are still minimal if based on the province’s annual rice production, adding that it can still be recovered in the next cropping period.
Data obtained by Sun.Star Bacolod from the Philippine Statistics Authority - Negros Occidental showed that the province currently has a rice self-sufficiency level ranging from 81 to 85 percent, or a deficit of 15 percent that is still being imported from other provinces and countries.
“The department, its bureaus, and attached agencies are working together for different initiatives to recover from any losses brought by calamities and disasters,” Manantan said as he cited various mitigation measures being implemented to counter possible adverse effects of El Niño to the local agriculture sector.
The DA-NIR has already extended assistance to affected farmers, including the 3,200 bags of certified rice seeds. It is now in the process of procuring an additional 12,000 bags of seeds worth P16.2 million to be distributed to dry spell-hit areas in the province.
Manantan also said the DA is constantly coordinating with the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration for the conduct of cloudseeding operation in the province.
“Due to recent rains in the province, some local farmers were able to recover and harvest their respective crops. Through these interventions, they can start production again during rainy season, which is on the second half of the year,” he added.