The Department of Agriculture (DA) reports initial damage from the ongoing El Niño has reached P6.87 billion, hitting crops and livelihoods across the country and raising concerns over food supply and consumer prices.
Released September 26, this damage bulletin confirms 223,214 farmers are affected, with 249,028 hectares of farmland impacted and production losses totaling 163,812 metric tons.
Corn bears the brunt with P4.90 billion in losses across 170,605 hectares — 126,883 tons gone. Rice follows with P1.53 billion, losing 25,196 tons from 74,953 hectares. High-value crops such as vegetables, banana and pineapple add P396.93 million in damage, while livestock and poultry losses reach P36.94 million. Cassava accounts for an additional P406,040.
Not all areas are lost: 77.41 percent of affected land — nearly 192,766 hectares — can still recover. The remaining 22.59 percent or 56,262 hectares are beyond repair.
Lower production means tighter supply and likely higher market prices for key staples. Reduced farm output also weakens income in rural areas, weighing on local economic activity.
To counter the damage, the DA has rolled out P10.96 billion in interventions — P10.53 billion for seeds, fertilizers and other farming inputs, plus P427.07 million in crop insurance payouts to 42,383 farmers. Other measures include cloud seeding, water pumps, and distribution of native chickens to boost food production.
Damage figures come from regional offices covering Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The DA notes these are initial estimates and costs may rise as El Niño persists.
