POTENTIAL losses of the agriculture sector from a prolonged dry spell are expected to increase in the coming months, according to the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras over the weekend said that a “mild” El Niño the Philippines has been experiencing could cost the sector at least P15 billion. Initial projection put the damage at P9 billion at most.
Losses from a tame El Niño, according to the Agriculture department, could reach P8 billion to P9 billion or 264, 940 metric tons of rice worth almost P4 billion and 174, 224 metric tons of corn valued at P2.26 billion.
Paras said his department is projecting bigger losses as the country has yet to reach the dry season, which will start in March and last until May.
A “severe” dry spell, Paras said, could lead to P20.46 billion in losses to agriculture.
The El Niño phenomenon is expected to last until July this year. (PIA-Bohol)
