Even though the full impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon cannot be entirely discounted, agriculture officials remain hopeful of bountiful palay or unhusked rice harvests this year.
At the sidelines of a forum hosted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Leo Sebastian, Agriculture undersecretary for rice industry development, told reporters that palay production this year hopefully hits more or less 20 million metric tons (MT), roughly the same volume of harvest in 2022.In 2021, palay production stood at a record 19.96 million MT but dipped slightly to only 19.76 million MT last year.
The DA the optimism is driven by the 300,000 MT increase in palay production in the first six months of the year compared to last year.
Sebastian said the effects of El Niño has not yet been reflected in data captured thus far but the DA is preparing for when the average temperature goes up likely amplified during the dry season next year.
Sebastian said the phenomenon has both positive and negative effects for which the government can prepare.
“Our irrigated areas are where we maximize production for the dry season because usually, El Niño will result in better solar radiation. When solar radiation is good, the growth of rice is good, so the yield is higher,” Sebastian said.
He claimed the DA has made adjustments in timing the planting season in areas expected to be hit by higher temperatures next year in time for the February or March harvests.Mercedita Sombilla, DA undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations, said the agency acknowledges that the challenges faced by the Philippines in terms of production is the lack of arable land.
Sombilla said the Philippines has fewer arable land than Vietnam or Thailand and that these countries also have access to abundant water for irrigation.
