SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ (PIA) — The government is strengthening the use of climate and rice data to help farmers make timely decisions on planting, irrigation, and drought preparedness as El Niño risks intensify.
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) are working to translate weather forecasts and rice production data into practical information that farmers can use in managing their crops.
PAGASA Weather Services Chief Thelma Cinco said the partnership aims to make technical weather information more useful in guiding farmers’ crop management decisions.
“This is not just about providing weather information. What matters is helping farmers understand what these data mean for their cropping management, when to plant, when to irrigate, and what steps they should take to prepare for an approaching drought or other extreme weather events,” Cinco said.
PAGASA earlier warned that dry conditions may affect several provinces beginning October, with some areas potentially experiencing drought.
The agency also said El Niño may persist into the first half of 2027.
Under the strengthened data-sharing partnership, PAGASA provides weather and climate information, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, and other available weather conditions.
PhilRice, meanwhile, contributes rice-related information covering planting dates, crop growth, rice areas, varieties, yield, production, and areas at risk.
PhilRice Executive Director John de Leon emphasized the need to align the cropping calendar with prevailing weather conditions and water availability to maximize rice production during the dry season.
“What the Department of Agriculture wants is for us to make the most of the dry season. If possible, we may be able to have two cropping cycles during this period. What matters is that we align the cropping calendar with weather conditions so that more farmers can continue rice production, especially during challenging periods such as the rainy season,” de Leon said.
The initiative supports the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to promote climate-resilient and data-driven agriculture, protect farmers’ productivity, and strengthen the country’s food security through science, technology, and timely information. (Camille N. Gavino)
