Agricultural losses due to El Niño hits P9.5 billion, says DA | ABS-CBN
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Agricultural losses due to El Niño hits P9.5 billion, says DA
Agricultural losses due to El Niño hits P9.5 billion, says DA
Farmers harvest their crops under the scorching sun on a tenth of a hectare rice farm in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Farmers harvest their crops under the scorching sun on a tenth of a hectare rice farm in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News The ongoing El Niño has left at least P9.5 billion in agricultural damage, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.
The ongoing El Niño has left at least P9.5 billion in agricultural damage, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.
Rice accounted for the highest value of damage at P4.6 billion, followed by corn at P3.1 billion. The rest is from losses in high-value crops, fisheries, and livestock.
Rice accounted for the highest value of damage at P4.6 billion, followed by corn at P3.1 billion. The rest is from losses in high-value crops, fisheries, and livestock.
Some 175,000 farmers have been affected by the weather phenomenon characterized by below-normal rainfall.
Some 175,000 farmers have been affected by the weather phenomenon characterized by below-normal rainfall.
Almost 164,000 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged.
Almost 164,000 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged.
But DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said the figures were lower than what authorities expected.
But DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said the figures were lower than what authorities expected.
They hope farm losses will not increase as the country nears the transition to the rainy season.
Mayors meet DA officials to elevate El Niño, food security concerns
Cebu declares state of calamity due to El Niño
They hope farm losses will not increase as the country nears the transition to the rainy season.
Mayors meet DA officials to elevate El Niño, food security concerns
Cebu declares state of calamity due to El Niño
Mayors meet DA officials to elevate El Niño, food security concerns
Cebu declares state of calamity due to El Niño
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has extended the ban on onion importation until July.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has extended the ban on onion importation until July.
This is due to higher local production, which meant there is a surplus of onions in cold storages.
This is due to higher local production, which meant there is a surplus of onions in cold storages.
"Mas mataas ng 40 percent ang production kaya wala muna importation," De Mesa said.
"Mas mataas ng 40 percent ang production kaya wala muna importation," De Mesa said.
(Local onion production is up by 40 percent, so we will not need imports.)
(Local onion production is up by 40 percent, so we will not need imports.)
The public can expect no onion price spikes this year due to sufficient supply.
The public can expect no onion price spikes this year due to sufficient supply.
In December 2022 to January 2023, the price of onions went as high as P600 per kilo due to seeming shortage over a confluence of factors.
In December 2022 to January 2023, the price of onions went as high as P600 per kilo due to seeming shortage over a confluence of factors.
De Mesa said overproduction was not much of a problem since onions could last for a long time in cold storages.
De Mesa said overproduction was not much of a problem since onions could last for a long time in cold storages.
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