Farmers are urged to adopt water-saving technologies and adjust farm practices as a possible El Niño may bring prolonged dry conditions and below-normal rainfall in the coming months.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has historically identified Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and parts of Mindanao among areas vulnerable to dry spells affecting rainfed and irrigated rice systems.
According to Dr. Kristine S. Pascual, water management specialist at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), timely farm management practices and water-efficient technologies can help farmers manage limited water supply and reduce risks to rice production.
Among the recommended practices are wet and dry direct seeding, which use less water than conventional transplanting.
Wet direct seeding uses drumseeders, precision seeders, or drone seeders for faster crop establishment while dry direct seeding minimizes water use during land preparation by sowing seeds under dry soil conditions.
“Planting early allows farmers to take advantage of available water before drought conditions intensify,” Pascual said.
PhilRice also recommended water management practices such as mid-season drainage, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), saturated soil culture, and water harvesting.
Pascual said that mid-season drainage during the maximum tillering stage improves soil aeration while reducing water consumption.
She added that water should be applied only when needed, particularly during flowering and grain-filling stages.
For areas with limited irrigation, Pascual said aerobic rice technology may also be adopted. The system grows rice under non-flooded conditions similar to upland crops such as corn, with irrigation applied only when soil moisture drops below a set threshold.
On nutrient management, Pascual said split application of nitrogen fertilizer instead of heavy one-time application to reduce nutrient losses during early crop stress. Foliar fertilizer may also be used when dry soil limits nutrient uptake.
She also encouraged crop diversification, including vegetables and other drought-tolerant crops to help sustain income during dry periods.
“Early preparation is key as the right strategies and timely decisions can help farmers protect their crops and make the most of limited resources,” Pascual said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Elmer D. Alosnos of the PhilRice El Niño Task Force said AWD can reduce irrigation water use by 15-30% without reducing yield when properly implemented.
Alosnos added that saturated soil culture helps keep enough moisture in the soil while reducing water loss. He also said water harvesting and proper maintenance of canals and field bunds can help farmers store and distribute water more efficiently during dry periods.
PhilRice also recommends using drought-tolerant and early-maturing rice varieties to sustain crop growth under limited water conditions.
“PSB Rc 10, NSIC Rc 480, Rc 594, and Rc 596 are among the recommended varieties for rainfed and drought-prone areas,” Alosnos said, adding that certified seeds are available through accredited seed growers and partner local government units.
Alosnos also warned that warm and dry conditions may increase the risk of pests and diseases such as rice black bug, rice bug, armyworm, stemborer, tungro, and rat infestations. Community-based pest management is recommended to minimize outbreaks.
For postharvest management, grains should be dried to 14% moisture content and stored in hermetic containers such as the PhilRice-developed Saclob, an airtight container with a sealing mechanism for storing bags of rice seeds, to prevent pest damage during warmer conditions, he added.
Farmers may enroll in crop insurance through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation before the dry period intensifies. Assistance may also be available through the Department of Agriculture’s Quick Response Fund, the Survival and Recovery (SURE) loan program of the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and local government support programs.
