February 19, 2010

Philippines farm sector damage due to dry spell at US$61.7 million

The latest dry spell caused by El Nino has already damaged 200,000 tonnes of corn, paddy rice and other crops worth an estimated PHP2.84 billion (US$61.7 million) in 14 Philippine provinces, the Department of Agriculture said Thursday (Feb 18).

The dry spell is expected to last until July.

Agriculture Undersecretary Joel Rudinas said in a statement the government has set aside PHP882.18 million (US$19 million) for mitigation measures such as cloud seeding in northern Luzon and western Visayas, purchase of water pumps, irrigation optimisation as well as pest and disease management.

In the latest situation report, the department said crops planted on 10,533 hectares have no chance of recovery while those planted on another 147,633 hectares can still recover from the dry spell.

In the affected areas, rice planted on 36,360 hectares could have produced 56,696 tonnes, while corn planted on 122,748 hectares could have produced 144,359 tonnes.

Isabela province, north of Manila, is the worst hit so far, having suffered PHP1.85 billion (US$40 million) in paddy rice and corn losses.

Agriculture accounts for a fifth of the country's gross domestic product and nearly 40% of the workforce. In 1998, the economy contracted by 0.6% due to the combined effect of the Asian financial crisis and El Nino, a Pacific Ocean climate pattern that results in weather disturbances.