By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) on Monday mentioned palay (unmilled rice) manufacturing seemingly declined this yr because of the injury brought on by El Niño-induced droughts and a number of other sturdy typhoons.
“We will anticipate that the output shall be decrease in comparison with final yr due to the massive injury as a consequence of El Niño and the collection of typhoons even earlier than Kristine,” DA Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel V. de Mesa advised reporters at a briefing.
The division beforehand estimated palay manufacturing to drop to 19.41 million metric tons (MT) in 2024, 3.24% decrease than the 20.06 million MT in 2023.
Mr. De Mesa mentioned the nation’s main rice-producing areas and areas had been affected by Extreme Tropical Storm Kristine.
“With Kristine, although we put out an advisory to do an early harvest, there are nonetheless areas that can not be harvested and had been left behind. So, we’re actually seeing big agricultural injury nationwide,” he mentioned.
“We are going to know the way massive the injury is later. However there shall be a lower in output, particularly in rice produce.”
A report by the Nationwide Catastrophe Threat Discount and Administration Council (NDRRMC) on Monday confirmed Extreme Tropical Storm Kristine and Hurricane Leon brought about P5.9 billion value of harm to agriculture.
Mr. De Mesa mentioned the injury from tropical cyclones this yr is already increased than the annual common of 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT.
“The injury is a bit larger this yr, greater than the common losses that we anticipate,” he added.
Citing the assessments of DA Regional Discipline Offices as of Nov. 2, Mr. De Mesa mentioned that injury to agriculture and crop losses as a consequence of Kristine have to date amounted to P5.75 billion.
“The most important injury is recorded within the rice subsector at P4.25 billion, adopted by high-value (crops) at P847 million, whereas fisheries recorded a P403 million loss in manufacturing,” he mentioned.
“The most important injury was recorded within the Bicol Area at nearly P3 billion, adopted by Mimaropa at P746 million, and third is in Cagayan Valley at P621 million,” he added.
The DA mentioned Kristine has affected 131,661 farmers and fisherfolk protecting 109,871 hectares of crops, which resulted in 557,851 MT in manufacturing loss.
Earlier this yr, El Niño brought about droughts and dry spells {that a}ffected crops in components of the nation. In its final bulletin on the effects of El Niño, the DA mentioned that agricultural injury and losses in 15 areas had been estimated at P15.3 billion.
Agricultural output declined by 3.3% to P413.91 billion within the second quarter, worsening from the 1.2% contraction a yr earlier, reflecting the affect of El Niño.
For the first half, the worth of manufacturing in agriculture and fisheries slipped by 1.5%, a reversal of the 0.4% development a yr in the past.
Third-quarter agricultural output information shall be launched on Wednesday.
Searched for remark, Federation of Free Farmers Nationwide Supervisor Raul Q. Montemayor mentioned that he expects a single-digit decline in manufacturing this yr after the dismal output within the first half.
“I feel it should nonetheless be single digit as a result of harvests appear to be alright in areas not severely affected by the typhoons,” mentioned Mr. Montemayor in a Viber message.
“However our provide deficit will proceed to extend because of the drop in manufacturing coupled with the rise in demand or inhabitants,” he added.
Mr. Montemayor mentioned output within the second half will most likely decline due to the effect of the typhoons.
“So, general, we’re a drop in annual manufacturing,” he added.
Regardless of the projected decline, Mr. De Mesa mentioned rice provide shall be sufficient with the elevated imports.
“Even when there’s a decline, what is sweet right here is that this shall be supplemented by our import arrivals. As of mid-October, it’s already at 3.6 million MT, which just about surpassed the entire importation final yr,” he added.
He mentioned that they anticipate rice imports to be cheaper because of the lowered tariffs on rice and India’s lifting of its ban on the exports of white rice.
“Hopefully, the peso change fee will enhance in order that the value of imported rice will even additional decline. As a result of it will assist guarantee that we’ll have sufficient provide and that costs won’t be affected,” he added.
The US Division of Agriculture tasks Philippine rice imports to hit 4.7 million MT this yr.
