MANILA (November 13) — El Niño has caused nearly P10 billion in agricultural damage and losses across the country, affecting more than 324,000 farmers and wiping out an estimated 288,424 metric tons (MT) of agricultural production, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operations Center reported on Wednesday that cumulative damage and losses had reached P9.99 billion, covering 323,319 hectares of agricultural land planted to rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops and other commodities, including livestock and poultry.
The affected areas span 16 regions, from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Northern Luzon to Western and Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
Rice and corn account for the bulk of the reported production losses, raising concerns over food supply and farmers’ incomes as the country braces for prolonged dry conditions.
Rice losses reached 108,881 MT, equivalent to 1.12 percent of the 9.7-million-MT production target for the second semester of 2026.
The DA expects total rice production this year to reach about 18.6 million MT, roughly one million MT lower than the 2025 output.
Corn losses, meanwhile, stood at 161,166 MT, or 1.83 percent of the 8.8-million-MT production target for 2026.
The department attributed the projected decline of around 500,000 MT in annual corn production to adverse weather conditions, El Niño, and rising production costs, particularly inorganic fertilizers and fuel.
Other agricultural commodities have also suffered substantial losses.
Cassava production losses reached 192 MT, valued at P5.60 million, with 151 hectares of farmland affected. High-value crops recorded losses of 18,185 MT worth P655.74 million, affecting 6,036 hectares.
The livestock and poultry sector reported 8,089 affected animals, including swine, carabao, ducks, chickens, goats, cattle, turkeys and geese, with estimated losses of P40.83 million.
The outlook remains worrying as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its November 4 update, reported a very strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific that could persist through the first half of 2027 and peak toward the end of 2026.
Although water levels in major dams remained generally stable as of November 11, with all reservoirs above their respective low-water levels, San Roque Dam had exceeded its normal high-water level.
The DA said it had provided initial interventions worth P18.64 billion to help farmers affected by El Niño.
It is also monitoring drought-vulnerable agricultural and fishery areas to assess potential production and livelihood losses and determine appropriate interventions based on local conditions.
The department is likewise conducting and participating in Kadiwa activities to make affordable, fresh and safe agricultural and fishery products accessible to affected communities.
But with agricultural losses already nearing P10 billion and El Niño expected to persist into 2027, the challenge goes beyond emergency assistance: farmers will need sustained support to protect their next cropping cycles, recover lost income and prevent further pressure on food supply and prices.
