Farmers in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, have begun filing agricultural insurance claims after a prolonged dry spell caused an estimated Php 5 million in crop losses, threatening local agricultural production and livelihoods.
On Tuesday, October 20, affected farmers visited the Municipal Agriculture Office to submit insurance documents and seek financial assistance for their damaged crops.
Municipal Agriculturist Erickson Biag said rice farmers in the water-scarce villages of Comcomloong and Maglaoi Norte were among the hardest hit by the drought.
According to Biag, crop damage has reached approximately 50 percent in affected areas, with limited water supplies making it difficult for farmers to sustain their rice production.
“The extent of damage has reached 50 percent. Our farmers have limited access to water to sustain their crops,” Biag said.
The prolonged dry conditions have placed additional financial pressure on farming households, many of which have already invested in seeds, fertilizers, labor, and other agricultural inputs.
To help cushion the impact, eligible farmers are being encouraged to file insurance claims, which may provide financial compensation for crop losses caused by covered weather-related risks.
Insurance benefits will depend on policy conditions and the results of damage assessments conducted by the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, the municipal government continues to distribute agricultural supplies and machinery to help farmers improve productivity and strengthen their ability to cope with drought conditions.
Local agricultural officials are also promoting water conservation, efficient irrigation systems, and crop diversification to reduce the vulnerability of farming communities to prolonged dry spells.
Farmers are being encouraged to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices suited to local conditions to minimize future crop losses.
Agricultural authorities said they would continue assisting affected farmers in processing insurance claims and implementing measures to protect agricultural production.
The ongoing drought underscores the challenges facing farming communities that depend heavily on reliable water supplies for crop production.
Source - https://thechronicle.com.ph
