• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has warned farmers and other agricultural stakeholders of possible dry conditions, dry spells and drought in parts of the region as the El Niño phenomenon continues to threaten agricultural production.
In its November 2026 El Niño Outlook Advisory, the DA-NIR identified areas that could experience prolonged below-normal rainfall, based on data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration as of Oct. 21.
Negros Occidental is identified as having the potential to experience a dry spell, defined as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, with rainfall levels 21 percent to 60 percent lower than the average.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental and Siquijor are facing the possibility of drought, characterized by three consecutive months of severely below-normal rainfall, or more than 60 percent below the normal rainfall level.
The warning comes as agricultural areas in Negros Occidental have already experienced significant impacts from moisture stress.
According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, moisture stress has affected 2,446 farmers in 73 barangays, damaging a total of 1,539.48 hectares of rice and corn and resulting in estimated agricultural losses of P42.4 million as of Oct. 27.
Rice production accounted for the majority of the affected areas and reported losses.
The DA-NIR urged farmers and other stakeholders to take early preparedness measures to minimize the potential impact of prolonged dry conditions on agricultural production.
Farmers were advised to regularly monitor local weather advisories, conserve and store water whenever possible, and adopt appropriate water-management practices and crop-planning strategies to reduce the risk of major production losses.
The DA-NIR also encouraged agricultural communities to remain alert and prepared as weather conditions evolve. | GPB
