MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday it is expecting a good rice harvest despite the challenges brought by the El Niño.

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The DA visited some rice farms in Central Luzon that are poised to bring a bountiful harvest, adding that majority of palay-planting areas in the country remain abundant, including those in Nueva Ecija.
 
"Nung binisita namin last week ang Nueva Ecija, yung ibang portions pabalik, maganda ang tayo ng palay. Maganda, wala ako nakita ni isang area na natuyuan at hindi nakatanim," said DA spokesman Arnel De Mesa.
 
"Meron pa ngang late planters. Merong malapit na mag-harvest, next 2 to 3 months. Meron kakalipat lang. Ibig sabihin, hindi nagwo-worry ang mga farmers natin," he added.

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In Pulilan, Bulacan, rice farmers tried their luck in planting rice after being promised enough water supply until May.
 
Fernando Cruz, a rice farmer, said he knew the risks but he was motivated because of good palay price last cropping season.
 
"Sinabi naman may patubig kaya naglagay din kami. Mahirap kasi maghintay na lang, eh kapag naglagay ka, may aasahan ka," he said.
 
Over the weekend, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led a ceremonial rice harvest in Candaba, Pampanga.
 
Marcos and DA officials also turned over equipment that will help farmers weather the challenges of El Niño.
 
"Yung solar irrigation project, yun ang nakikita ng ating Pangulo, at Secretary Kiko Laurel na isa sa pangunahing hakbangin para malunasan ang problema sa El Niño," De Mesa said.
 
"Yung small-scale irrigation project, it can irrigate up to 20 to 30 hectares depende sa design ng solar irrigation," he added.
 
The agency also said that water level in the Angat Dam is just slightly below the normal high level of 212 meters.

It was at 210.33 meters on Monday, February 5.
 
"Yung level ng Angat at Pantabangan, mababa ng kaunti sa high water level mark. Kung ikukumpara sa previous El Niño, hindi ganoon kadelikado ang water level ng mga dams," he added.
 
The DA said it is also preparing for La Niña, which often comes after El Niño.