The Department of Agriculture has provided support to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the country releasing P360-M in insurance payments and emergency loans.
To date, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has allotted Php 95.875 million of financial assistance under the Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE) Program to benefit 3,835 affected farmers. In addition, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has paid Php 264.515 million of insurance to 24,119 farmers.
Cloud seeding operations have also been conducted to provide artificial rain to farmers who need rain for their crops. Region II has conducted seventeen (17) sorties, which led to rise in water levels of Magat dam. Meanwhile, Region XI and XII has conducted five (5) sorties over agricultural and watershed areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.
Seed reserves for rice, corn and high value crops have also been prepositioned to be provided to farmers that will opt to replant this coming wet season.
As of today, damages and losses from El Niño amount to Php 7.96 billion with an estimated volume of 268,656 metric tons and damaged agricultural areas of 277,890 hectares affecting 247,610 farmers and fisherfolk. Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops and fisheries.
Despite the impact of El Niño to rice and corn production, their respective production targets can still be met as reported losses are only 0.96% (197,700 MT) of the 20 million MT target for rice and only 2.94% (254,766 MT) of the 8.64 million MT target for corn. (DA Field Operations Office)
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