DA: Over 1M hectares of rice, corn to be affected by Kristine

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday urged farmers across several regions to be affected by Tropical Storm Kristine to perform measures aimed at preventing losses as the weather disturbance approaches.

In its situation bulletin, the DA said the area of standing crops that may be affected by Kristine totals to 1,311,024 hectares, of which 1,103,582 hectares are for rice and 207,442 hectares are for corn.

The Agriculture Department said the figure on standing crops were based on the combined data from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VIII and XIII as of October 15, 2024

For rice, the area under seedling and vegetative stage is at 160,344 hectares or 14.53%, while the area under reproductive stage is at 452,123 hectares or 40.97%, according to the DA.

The area under maturity stage for rice contributes to the remaining 491,115 hectares or 44.50%.

“As for corn, the area of crops under the seedling and vegetative stage is at 19,062 hectares (9.19%), while the area under reproductive stage is at 40,193 hectares (19.38%),” the DA said.

“Those under the maturity stage contribute to the remaining 148,187 hectares (71.44%)," it added.

The Agriculture Department is advising farmers as well as fisherfolk to perform the following preparedness measures:

• Stay up to date with the weather updates released by PAGASA and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
• Harvest mature crops and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities
• Secure seed reserves, planting materials and other farm inputs in safe and proper storage areas
• Relocate farm machineries, equipment and other farm tools to higher ground
• Secure sufficient feeds and water for relocated animals
• Clear drainage in irrigation and rice paddies from obstructions to prevent flooding and promote fast drainage of water.

The DA added that fisherfolk were advised not to go out to sea and to take precautionary measures if they really need to head out during the bad weather.

Floods and landslides have been reported in parts of Luzon and Visayas due to the effect of Kristine.—AOL, GMA Integrated News