Philippines: Isabela intensifies support for El Niño-hit farmers amid prolonged dry spell

• Irrigation delays impact 31,000 hectares of rice fields
• Cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall over drought-stricken areas

The provincial government of Isabela has intensified assistance for farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell, rolling out measures to reduce the impact of El Niño on agriculture.

Governor Rodito T. Albano III said the provincial government is working with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and partner agencies to ensure timely assistance reaches affected farmers. The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen government assistance for farmers affected by climate-related challenges.

Irrigation delays affect 31,000 hectares  

Around 31,000 hectares of irrigated rice fields under the National Irrigation Administration–Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) are experiencing irrigation delays due to limited water supply caused by the prolonged dry spell.

Albano urged affected farmers to coordinate with their respective Municipal or City Agriculture Offices for registration and assessment to access government assistance. He assured farmers that the government remains committed to providing support to all eligible beneficiaries.

Cloud seeding and seed distribution

To prevent the effects of water shortages on rice production, the DA Regional Field Office 2 and the Provincial Government of Isabela have implemented several coordinated interventions.

One of the immediate measures is the conduct of cloud seeding operations, scheduled this July, to induce rainfall over drought-stricken agricultural areas and help replenish irrigation water sources.

Under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino, the DA has also allocated 40,000 kilograms of mungbean seeds for distribution to around 8,000 farmers, providing them with an alternative source of livelihood while irrigation water remains limited.

In addition, the agency has prepared seeds for watermelon, glutinous white corn, and onion to encourage crop diversification and enable farmers to continue agricultural production despite reduced water availability.

Outlook

Government support in Isabela will remain focused on assisting farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell through cloud seeding, seed distribution, and the validation of affected beneficiaries. The provincial government will also coordinate additional assistance with the Department of Agriculture and provide supplementary funds and agricultural inputs for farmers not covered under the initial allocation.