By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Anticipating the extremely hot weather El Niño that has damaged some P150 million agricultural products to last until May this year, a government task force is set to help some 4,000 farmers in Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama disclosed on Thursday that the farmers will receive seeds for alternative crops after the weather phenomenon affected more rice and corn plantations.
“Binigyan sila ng domestic animals para meron silang mapagkunan ng kabuhayan,” Villarama said aside from the alternative crops.
He added that the government will also fix irrigation canals and conduct cloudseeding operations to help the affected farmers’ market.
According to a government bulletin, agricultural damage due to El Niño has reached P151 million, with possible production losses pegged at 6,618 metric tons of palay and corn, mostly in Iloilo, Antique, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga Del Norte.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also said 3,291 hectares were affected by the dry spell.
Villarama cited a PAGASA report that expects the strong El Niño to persist until May.
(el Amigo/MNM)