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Farmers harvest their crops under the scorching sun on a tenth of a hectare rice farm in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The farmers, who were lucky enough to have harvested ripe rice grains, will have to postpone the next round of planting amid rising temperatures as the country reels from the effects of El Nino.


Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

EL NINO- QC- Harvesting

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171352007893820240419100444_20240416-rice-harvesting-quezon-city-MT-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Farmers harvest their crops under the scorching sun in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City on April 17, 2024. <em id="isPasted">Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><p>Damage and losses to the country’s agriculture sector due to the El Niño has increased to over P3.9 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.</p><p>Of this amount, damage on rice crops accounted for more than half, or P2.36 billion, data from the DA-DRRM Operations Center show. </p><p>Damage on high value crops and corn are estimated at nearly P868 million and P669 million respectively. While losses in the fisheries sector are valued at P33.83 million, and in livestock and poultry at P6.95 million.</p><p>This covers 11 regions. Among the hardest hit are the regions of MIMAROPA and Western Visayas.</p><p>Despite the reported damage and losses, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said he is not seeing significant effect on the country’s rice production, with El Nino affecting only around 2% of farm areas.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/19/da-small-eggs-natural-during-dry-season-1705" id="isPasted">DA: Small eggs &#x27;natural&#x27; during dry season</a></div><p>“In terms sa rice, nasa mahigit 30,000 hectares pa rin ang damage nito. Hindi pa rin naman ganoon kalaki. Overall area damaged is about 2% ng ating projected area na nataniman. In terms of volume, it’s 1.5%. So hindi pa rin ganoon kalaki. We’re not seeing ‘yung ganoon kalaking significant na epekto overall sa productivity level natin sa produksyon ng palay sa buong bansa,” he explained in an interview on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.</p><p>The US Department of Agriculture also slashed its rice import forecast  for the Philippines this year by 200,000 metric tons, as it expects better harvest.</p><p>Still, the DA has monitored a P1 per kilo increase in the prevailing price of regular and well-milled rice. Even as de Mesa said the harvest season should trigger a decline rice prices.</p><p>“Dapat sa panahong ito, harvest season, nakikita natin na bumababa ang presyo ng bigas. Kaya lang dahil nagkaroon tayo ng pagtaas din ng presyo ng farmgate ng NFA, ngayon nakikita natin na bagamat tumaas ay bahagya lamang,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/19/da-seeks-to-double-budget-for-2025-1648" id="isPasted">DA seeks to double budget for 2025 </a></div><p>“Last week ay nasa P50 to P51 ang prevailing prices at nakakakita tayo ng P46, P47, P49. Ngayon ay nakakakita pa rin tayo ng P48, P49. Pero ‘yung prevailing natin ay nasa  P51, P52. So tumaas ng piso ‘yung prevailing prices ng bigas for regular and well milled rice,” de Mesa added.</p><p>“Bakit tumaas ng konti? Iche-check namin ‘yan sa National Food Authority at sa iba pa nating ahensya,” he noted.</p><div><strong>PORK PRICES</strong></div><p>Pork prices also increased, by P5 toP10 per kilo, based on DA’s monitoring.</p><p>De Mesa said the prevailing price of liempo is at P380 per kilo, while kasim is at P335 to P340 per kilo. He noted that the “correct” price of kasim should be P320 to P330 per kilo.</p><div><strong>NFA PROBE</strong></div><p>The Department of Agriculture’s probe into the alleged improper rice sale by the National Food Authority, meanwhile, continues despite the dismissal of the head of the panel conducting the investigation.</p><p>“Nandoon pa naman ang majority ng team. Tuloy-tuloy ang pag-uusap at anytime mag-a-announce si Sec. Tiu Laurel ng maghe-head. For the meantime, ‘yung dalawa sa natitira sa panel ay patuloy pa rin ang ginagawang pagsisiyasat dito sa issue sa NFA,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/4/6/da-rules-out-rice-price-cap-amid-inflation-1918" id="isPasted">DA rules out rice price cap amid inflation </a></div><p>The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Chief Director Demosthenes Escoto after finding him guilty of grave misconduct in the procurement of transmitters and transceivers for the DA-BFAR’s Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System Project Phase II (PHILO Project).</p>

<p>Damage and losses to the country’s agriculture sector due to the El Niño has increased to over P3.9 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.</p>

Damage and losses to the country’s agriculture sector due to the El Niño has increased to over P3.9 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA: Agri losses due to El Niño hit nearly P4 billion

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DA: Agri losses due to El Niño hit nearly P4 billion

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 19, 2024 05:48 PM PHT

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