Cloud seeding, aid rushed to Isabela farmers

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to conduct cloud seeding operations this month, as El Niño continues to threaten food production, drying up about 31,000 hectares of rice lands served by the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System in Isabela.

Gov. Rodito Albano said the cloud seeding operations are expected to boost rainfall over critical watersheds and help replenish water in irrigation systems supplying farmlands.

In the meantime, he said the provincial government has begun mobilizing emergency assistance to farmers and urged them to register with their municipal and city agriculture offices to receive the support.

Albano ordered local agriculture personnel to expedite the validation of damaged farms to hasten the release of aid.

The DA Regional Field Office 2 has earmarked 40,000 kilos of mung bean seeds for 8,000 farmers and is preparing seeds for watermelon, glutinous white corn and onion – alternative crops that require less water and mature faster than rice – to help farmers cope with the prolonged dry spell.

According to the DA, this would enable farmers to earn income while irrigation remains limited.

Albano said he has appealed to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. for additional assistance, adding that the provincial government has allocated some its own funds to support farmers that may be left out in the initial DA assistance package distribution.

Albano said the cloud seeding and the emergency assistance seek to minimize crop losses, stabilize farmers’ incomes and protect Isabela’s rice industry.