Farmers from this city and the towns of Vintar, Bacarra, Solsona, Currimao, Pinili, Badoc, and Banna on Wednesday received at least five water pumps per city or municipality to help address the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

The provisions are part of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculture Office’s measures to help farmers reeling from the impact of the dry spell, which, to date, has reportedly affected around 341 hectares of farmlands and has an estimated damage of around PHP12.2 million.

“A provincewide validation is ongoing as we have received reports on drought damages in some parts of Laoag, Bacarra, Dingras, Nueva Era, and Pasuquin,” provincial agriculturist Maria Teresa Bacnat said in a media interview on Wednesday.

Citing initial reports, Bacnat said most of the damaged crops include rice and high-value crops which are planted in rain-fed areas.

Earlier, some 100 farmers from Vintar town received an initial fuel subsidy amounting to PHP3,000 each

Because of the prevailing drought, the provincial agriculture office also warned about the possible infestation of insects such as the brown plant hopper and bacterial leaf blight that can easily multiply.

Experts said farmers may consider using appropriate copper-based insecticide if the damage can still be managed. (PNA)