El Niño drives P300 million agricultural loss for Eastern Visayas farmers

El Niño-induced drought has inflicted an estimated P300 million loss on agriculture in Eastern Visayas, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than 6,400 farmers cultivating almost 8,000 hectares—predominantly rice—have seen yields fall, though most were still able to harvest. The DA expects the region’s overall rice production to dip below the earlier forecast of 964,000 metric tons, but did not give a precise shortfall figure.

About 30,000 hectares are classified as moderately to severely impacted. To mitigate the prolonged dry spell, the agency is distributing climate-resilient seeds and fertilizers and installing additional solar-powered irrigation where water is available. On Friday, officials inaugurated a P91-million solar irrigation system in Barangay Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte, which will serve 66 farmers and irrigate 115 hectares. The department pledged continued support to protect crops and farmer livelihoods as El Niño effects are expected to linger into early 2027.