The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting an increase in rice production in Eastern Visayas for 2024 to mitigate the potential effects of El Niño on other regions of the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA regional executive director Andrew Orais, in an interview on Monday, outlined several measures being implemented early this year to ensure a higher yield. The region harvested 844,372 metric tons of palay (unhusked rice) in 2023, a slight increase from 840,345 metric tons in 2022, data from the Philippine Rice Research Institute indicated. "Our goal is to have a higher output in 2024 to support the provinces that will be affected by the prolonged dry season. This is realistic since we have a favorable weather condition," Orais commented.
Eastern Visayas has long pursued a harvest of 1 million metric tons of palay, a milestone last achieved in 2008. However, production has faced challenges over the past two years due to factors such as low fertilizer utilization, minimal farm mechanization, seed quality, and natural calamities.
To boost production, strategies like adjusting the rice planting season to May and June to avoid typhoon damage, and implementing farm clustering and consolidation to maximize resources, are being promoted. Despite Eastern Visayas not being listed among the 41 provinces affected by El Niño this year, the DA is preparing for potential impacts with water pumps and rice seeds.
Initial reports have indicated some rice fields in Samar province are drying out. Agriculture occupies 45 percent of Eastern Visayas' land area, with the majority dedicated to coconut production and the remainder to rice and corn.