LINGAYEN–An estimated P390-million worth of palay in 23,000 hectares of rice farms in the Ilocos Region is now heavily affected by the dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

The expected harvest from this total area may be lost if rains do not come by March, according to Cipriano Santiago, the regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In an interview with The PUNCH, Santiago said planted areas are in dire need of water while farmers are unable to plant because of extreme dryness of farm soil.

Santiago has advised farmers to begin installing irrigation pumps to mitigate the problem.

The irrigation canals serviced by the National Irrigation Administration in the region are already dry.

“There are still about 3,500 hectares to be planted on, and if the situation does not improve, those will already be considered total loss,” he said.

In Pangasinan, the affected area is about 7,000 hectares (has.).

In other parts of the region, the number of affected areas are: Norte (1,200 has), Ilocos Sur (1,200 has), and La Union (1,700 has.).

He said the DA might release funds next week to buy water pumps to assist contribution to affected farmers.

“Truth is, we are already giving water pumps but very limited,” he added.

He also urged farmers to plant alternative crops like monggo and corn that do not need much water.

Meanwhile, 1,000 hectares of corn areas are reportedly affected.

Santiago said cloud seeding is not recommended in Region 1 because while it may be advantageous to some farmers who planted rice, it would be disadvantageous to those planted to tobacco, mango trees, onions, tomatoes, and garlic.#

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