MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has received a Php 6.2-billion allocation under the government’s Php 45-billion UPLIFT program to help farmers and fisherfolk cope with the effects of a very strong El Niño.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the funding would support fertilizer subsidies, fuel and transportation assistance, and direct financial aid aimed at reducing agricultural production and distribution costs.
Part of the allocation will fund the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program, which targets more than 310,000 beneficiaries affected by challenging weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) continues purchasing palay from local farmers to maintain sufficient rice buffer stocks and support domestic rice producers.
The DA will also use the funding to expand solar-powered irrigation systems, deploy additional water pumps, and conduct cloud-seeding operations in areas affected by prolonged dry conditions.
These interventions aim to minimize agricultural losses, sustain food production, and protect the livelihoods of farming and fishing communities.
The department warned that weather-related disruptions, particularly El Niño, could significantly affect crop production, fisheries, and livestock.
According to DA projections, adverse weather conditions could reduce palay production by approximately 700,000 metric tons during the main harvest season in the second half of 2026.
The government is implementing these measures to strengthen agricultural resilience, maintain food supply, and reduce the economic impact of extreme weather on farmers and consumers.
