Bangued, Abra - The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera reported that the damage to crops brought by El Niño had reached P444.91 million as of March 22, 2024.
The cost of the damage is expected to increase in the coming days since the weather phenomenon will last until May, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Thus, DA- Cordillera and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are now working together to support the affected farmers.
Among the provinces in the region experiencing the impact of drought is the province of Abra, where its farmers are in dire need of irrigation services.
In an effort to aid the farmers, P50 million was provided by the NIA to the provincial government.
The given fund, as cited by the Philippine Information Agency - Cordillera, will be used by the PLGU in its solar pump irrigation project implementation.
NIA Abra Provincial Head Ronald Bisquerra, in his interview with the local media, said the projects are expected to be started this year and will be implemented in the municipalities of Namarabar, Peñarrubia, and Bangued.
“Diay solar pump through ground water ti medyo makit-kita mi nga solution para ti tikag wenno El Niño so isu ti is-istudyen mi nga ag-concentrate kami pay ti ground water,” Bisquerra added.
Aside from the solar pump irrigation projects, NIA is also finding other solutions to help farmers reduce the impact of severe droughts on their crops.
One of the solutions the agencies have already initiated include the provision of water pumps to the affected farmers.
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