June 12, 2024 - Despite the El Niño phenomenon experienced in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured that the decline in rice supply is not significant and will remain stable. This is because rice production for this year is expected to surpass that of 2023.
The El Niño phenomenon has caused a severe problem in the Philippines with soaring temperatures and drought intensifying. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued warnings of dangerously high heat indexes in several areas across the country, with temperatures expected to soar up to 51°C. Furthermore, 31 provinces are experiencing drought conditions worsened by El Niño.
Despite these challenges, the DA reported substantial agricultural losses amounting to Php 2.63 billion, affecting over 54,000 farmers and 53,879 hectares of farmland across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao due to El Niño. Rice and corn production suffered the most, posing significant risks to our food security.
However, the DA has been proactive in addressing these issues. As early as now, the DA is already assisting farmers with their land preparation for the wet season. These include early distribution of seedlings, fertilizers and fertilizer vouchers, and machinery through the DA’s regional offices and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The National Food Authority (NFA) also ordered its local offices to secure contracts for drying facilities to avoid wastage during the wet harvest season.
In addition to local production, the country continues to secure its rice supply through importation. To date, around 1.1 million MT of imported rice has already been delivered.
The DA’s efforts have resulted in a stable supply of rice for 2024, despite a slight decline in production during the first three months of the year due to the El Niño phenomenon. The DA remains confident that the country will have sufficient supply of rice for the whole year.
The government continues to ramp up efforts in rice industry development amid an El Niño year and four years before its target to reach rice self-sufficiency by 20283. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief said the target of 97.4% rice self-sufficiency is achievable.
Despite the challenges posed by El Niño, the Department of Agriculture remains committed to ensuring a stable rice supply and supporting the country’s farmers. The resilience and adaptability of the agricultural sector are crucial in overcoming these environmental adversities.