ILOILO – Nearly three months without significant rainfall have left farms in northern Iloilo parched and cracking, prompting the Department of Agriculture (DA) to prepare a 15-day cloud-seeding operation as the area approaches dry-spell conditions.
Cloud seeding is a weather-modification technique in which substances are introduced into suitable clouds to encourage the formation of rain. The operation requires the presence of “seedable” clouds and does not create clouds or rainfall out of clear skies.
The 5th District will be prioritized in the operation, particularly areas where rice, vegetables and other high-value crops are increasingly threatened by prolonged lack of rain.
Geron Magbanua, acting head of the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, said the provincial government has coordinated with DA-Western Visayas after farmers, including those in San Rafael and Sara towns, reported that their farmlands were already cracking because of the prolonged dry conditions.
Based on information received by Magbanua, the cloud-seeding operation could begin by the end of September or in October and will be undertaken by a third-party contractor hired by DA.
“If I’m not mistaken, based sa ginhatag nga info sa aton, by October ma-start. So, daw 15 days nga cloud seeding,” Magbanua told Panay News.
The operation will focus on dams, reservoirs and other bodies of water to help replenish water stocks that can supply irrigation systems serving farms in northern Iloilo.
DA Region 6 and the Iloilo provincial government have already deployed “spotters” in northern Iloilo to monitor the formation of seedable clouds and relay information to the contractor that will conduct the operation.
Magbanua clarified that the cloud-seeding operation will not be limited to Iloilo but will cover the entire Panay Island. Northern Iloilo, however, will be given priority because of the severity of its rainfall deficit.
“Ang target sa (Iloilo) province is the 5th District kay based sa satellite, sila ang pula or red ang classification. Wala gid ulan, manog-dry spell na sila. Basi mag-drought na sila kay wala gid tubig up to three months na,” Magbanua said.
Farmers urged to rethink second cropping
The looming dry conditions are also prompting provincial agriculture officials to urge farmers to reconsider planting rice for the second cropping season if adequate water cannot be assured.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Iloilo has forecast the possible onset of a “very strong” El Niño beginning in the latter part of the year, particularly with the start of the northeast monsoon or amihan season.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warm surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. In the Philippines, it is commonly associated with below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry conditions and an increased risk of dry spells and droughts, although its effects vary by location and season.
Second cropping for rice normally begins in October, but Magbanua advised farmers not to force planting when water availability is uncertain to avoid crop losses.
He said farmers are familiar with El Niño because the phenomenon occurs every three to five years and should use their previous experience in deciding what and when to plant.
With “way below normal rainfall” forecast beginning in October, farmers may instead shift to crops that require less water, including corn, vegetables and mung beans.
“Ang probinsya nagapahanumdom sa aton farmers nga kon alang-alang na magtanum, indi na naton pagpiliton ang pagtanum sang palay. Puede kita maka-divert sa other alternative crops like mais, vegetables kag monggo kon ano ang puede matanum or puede ma–convert ang aton farm sa kon ano ang puede nga livelihood kag indi lang palay kay bangod kulangon ang tubig,” Magbanua said.
Despite El Niño, Magbanua said farmers could still expect limited rainfall. Based on previous experience, however, rainfall during such conditions could sometimes be intense enough to trigger flooding.
Farmers in rain-fed areas were likewise advised against proceeding with second cropping if experience shows that their available water sources, including shallow wells and rivers, would be inadequate./PN
