‘We will not plant’: Kalinga farmers weigh skipping planting as El Niño dries up water

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Some farmers in Kalinga are considering skipping their next planting cycle as worsening dry conditions and declining water availability raise fears of crop losses, the Provincial Agriculture Office said.

Provincial Agriculturist Nancy O. Aowat said farmers, particularly those in rice-producing areas, are now assessing available water before deciding whether to proceed with planting.

“We have now farmers that having decision that they will not be planting now because of the effect ng El Niño,” Aowat said during the Provincial Government of Kalinga’s Kapehan on October 5.

She said insufficient water could prevent crops from properly establishing and developing, prompting some farmers to forego planting rather than risk losing their investment.

The National Irrigation Administration had earlier advised production areas in Kalinga and Isabela to delay planting because of low river water levels.

“Last June, the NIA have recommended that production areas of both Kalinga and Isabela will delayed their planting activities because of the El Niño kasi kung makikita natin mababaw na yong tubig sa ating mga rivers,” Aowat said.

The dry conditions have already affected 2,840 farmers in Kalinga as of June 2026, according to monitoring and validation by the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region, the provincial government and municipal agriculture offices.

An estimated 4,142.13 hectares of rice, corn and high-value crops are projected to be affected, with potential production losses reaching 5,842.74 metric tons. The figures may increase depending on how long and how severe the dry conditions become.

Aowat said PAGASA forecasts indicate that the dry conditions may continue in the coming months, with a dry spell expected from November to December and dry-season conditions from January to March 2027.

Governor James S. Edduba has directed the Provincial Agriculture Office to convene municipal agriculture offices, Tabuk City, NIA and irrigators’ associations to coordinate interventions for affected farmers.

Among the available interventions are solar-powered irrigation systems, pump engine sets, small water impounding projects, cisterns, small farm reservoirs, rainwater harvesting, crop diversification, crop insurance and the provision of seeds and other farm inputs.

The Provincial Agriculture Office will continue monitoring affected agricultural areas and coordinate with concerned agencies as the province prepares for the continuing dry conditions.