Marcos vows more farm aid to help fight El Niño

UNPRODUCTIVE The El Niño is forecast to reduce rainfall and cause farms to dry up, such as this parched field in Tanza, Cavite, photographed on May 3, 2023. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. again assured farmers of government support through aid, research and development and modern technology to increase their yield amid the El Niño threat.

Addressing rice farmers in Candaba, Pampanga, on Saturday morning, Mr. Marcos also thanked them for 2023’s increased rice production at 20.06 million metric tons of palay, or 1.5 percent higher than 2022’s 19.76 million metric tons of palay.

‘We are not afraid’

“Even as we celebrate our gains, it is also important to recognize the challenges that we face. El Niño is still here, and it causes widespread damage on the crops of our farmers. We expect that it will worsen by February and last until June, and will threaten the agriculture sector this 2024,” the President said.

He went on: “Even then, we are not afraid. Instead, we will face the threat of El Niño together. We will continue to boost our aid for affected parts of the country.”

The President attributed last year’s improved palay production to the government’s distribution of high-quality seedlings and fertilizers to rice farmers.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said the 20.06 million metric tons of palay produced in 2023 is an additional 300,000 metric tons from the year before, and that it was due to a 0.23-percent increase in harvested areas and a 1.30-percent improvement in yield.

READ: Marcos admin vows to boost focus on agriculture

Mr. Marcos was in Barangay Mandili, Candaba in Pampanga, on Saturday morning for the ceremonial palay harvest and distribution of assistance, such as hauling trucks, seeds, financial aid, etc. to more than 12,000 farmers and 10 farmers’ cooperatives and associations.

The Department of Agriculture downloaded P99.8 million worth of fertilizer discount vouchers to Candaba, apart from P5 million in grants for working capital and hauling vehicles to 150 farmers and the construction of agricultural infrastructure.