THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) on Monday urged farmers and fisherfolks to harvest early in preparations for the possible impact of Tropical Depression Kristine.
In an advisory, the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center told farmers and fishers to closely monitor updates from local DRRMs and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“The Department is advising farmers and fisherfolk… to harvest mature crops and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities,” the DA-DRRM said.
Farmers were also told to place agricultural farm inputs and planting materials in proper storages; relocate farm machinery and equipment to higher grounds in case of flooding; relocate animals with adequate feeds and water; and clear irrigation and rice paddies to prevent flooding.
Likewise, fishers were told to avoid sea travel considering rough seaboard conditions; and to secure fishing vessels on higher grounds.
Stable rice stock inventory
DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, meanwhile, assured stable rice stock inventory despite the effects of weather disturbances, with the help of rice importation.
This came after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported an increased projection for the country’s rice imports, which could hit 4.7 million metric tons (MT) in 2024 and 4.9 million MT in 2025.
“Kailangan nating mag-adjust, kasi kung hindi naman madadagdagan ang imports at iyong ating local production ay bababa syempre bababa iyong ating local stock inventory. Hindi lang naman Pilipinas iyong nagtataas ng (We need to adjust, because if we will not increase our imports and our local production decreases, the local stock inventory will also drop. The Philippines is not the only country that increases its) importation,” he said.
De Mesa said the adjustment in local production projection is done taking into account the effects of natural phenomena.
“This could be lower than the previous projections dahil sa mga El Niño, mga sunud-sunod na bagyo, at may parating pa tayo na bagyo, mayroon pa tayong (due to El Niño, consecutive typhoons, and the upcoming typhoon, we still have) La Niña. There could be changes,” he added.
The DA, earlier projected to hit 20.4 million MT palay production, alongside the possibility of breaching the 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT annual palay losses due to the said weather disturbances.
To date, De Mesa said the DA has already logged around 3.51 million MT of rice imports. (Stephanie Sevillano)
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