Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Monday that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is mobilizing a comprehensive series of interventions to shield farmers and consumers from a potentially severe El Niño phenomenon.
Drawing from previous experiences, the DA warned that unmanaged dry spells could cripple crop production and destabilize the national food supply.
The department’s strategy focuses on minimizing harvest losses while maintaining stable incomes for local food producers.
“What we learned during the 2024 El Niño will guide how we prepare and intervene this time around,” Tiu Laurel said.
The agency’s roadmap includes shifting to less water-dependent crops in drought-prone regions, deploying solar-powered irrigation, and promoting low-cost greenhouse technology.
Furthermore, the DA is strengthening the National Rice Program and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to provide climate-resilient seeds, fertilizer assistance, and water-saving tools to the rice sector.
To ensure long-term stability, the government is reactivating the El Niño Task Force and reinforcing crop insurance and credit access for affected farmers.
On the supply side, Tiu Laurel confirmed that Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to supply up to 1.5 million metric tons of rice to the Philippines at competitive prices if the need arises.
“Just like last year, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. imposed an import ban from September to December to support palay prices, we will continue to balance food security with the interests of our farmers, ensuring they earn a fair return for their hard work,” Tiu Laurel added.