THE Department of Agriculture Region I (DA-I) needs P652.8 million to support and maintain its El Niño mitigation and rehabilitation program in the region this year.

In Pangasinan, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) already warned the towns of Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Rosales, Santa Barbara, and Santo Tomas, that they will suffer prolonged water shortages unless quickly and properly addressed.

DA-I information officer Vida Cacal said the 2024 DA-I action plan was based on their dry spell records last 2009-2010, and consultation with local government units.

So far, preparatory activities such as retooling, and strengthening disaster task force and monitoring in local field conditions already began early 2023.

To maintain the action plan, funds are needed to sustain the mitigation plan that includes the optimization of production in vulnerable areas, provision of seeds and other farm inputs, construction of additional irrigation facilities, repair and rehabilitation of canals, and cloud seeding.

PAGASA, the state weather bureau, had forewarned that strong El Niño will be felt until July 2024.

Cacal said farm animals were already given to farmers in vulnerable areas as alternative source of income, in case their crops do not do well when El Nino hits but DA is ready for rehabilitation of vulnerable areas if the worst happens. (Ahikam Pasion)

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