ACCORDING to DA-10 Regional Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan, the Department of Agriculture has strengthened its coordination with PAGASA so it can use accurate weather information in planning measures against the possible effects of El Niño on agriculture.
He emphasized that detailed data for each barangay is important in determining which crops should be prioritized and where planting materials and other forms of support should be distributed.
He said that through continued coordination with local government units and the use of climate forecasts, farmers can be better prepared and food production in Northern Mindanao can be better protected.
The region is currently short by around 5,000 to 6,000 sacks of rice per day, with each sack weighing 50 kilograms.
Because of this, Department of Agriculture-10 Regional Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan said the agency is preparing measures to maintain the rice supply despite the threat of El Niño.
These include identifying areas that are vulnerable to reduced rainfall and those that are less affected, as well as increasing production support in areas with sufficient water.
He said an estimated 49,000 hectares of rice farmland in Northern Mindanao are vulnerable to El Niño, while more than 88,000 hectares are expected to be less affected.
Meanwhile, the region’s current rice supply is equivalent to approximately 204 days’ worth of consumption. PIA
