The Department of Agriculture (DA) reconvened a task force to ramp up preparation for strong El Niño that may slash rice production by 700,000 metric tons.

According to DA, the rice output "could drop by as much as 700,000 Mt or 3.5 percent of the annual production target if a strong El Niño materializes, signaling serious risks for the nation’s food security and rural incomes."

"Without timely intervention, reduced farm output could trigger higher food prices, supply chain disruptions, and added pressure on low-income households," it stated.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has reported a 92-percent probability of a moderate to strong El Niño striking in the fourth quarter of 2026, potentially extending into early 2027.

"To counter these effects, the department has rolled out measures including cloud seeding to boost rainfall, deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems, adjustments to the planting calendar to align with the Northeast Monsoon or Habagat, and crop diversification programs aimed at stabilizing farmers’ earnings," it added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed that mitigating El Niño’s effects is not just an agricultural challenge but a national priority to protect food security and ensure stability in markets and communities across the Philippines.

“It is imperative that we put in place interventions that mitigate the impact of El Niño on agriculture, the livelihoods of farmers, fisherfolk, and others in the value chain, as well as its adverse effects on food supply, prices, and consumers,” Tiu Laurel said, emphasizing the need for swift, coordinated action.

The proactive stance of the DA is deemed critical, especially in light of the 2023–2024 El Niño, which inflicted P57.78 billion in agricultural losses—the largest in recent history. Corn, essential for livestock feed, suffered the most, followed by rice, high-value crops, cassava, coconut, and fisheries.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that the economic impact was felt nationwide as the overall agricultural output in 2024 fell 2.2 percent to P483.58 billion. Robina Asido/PHS