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Abstract
The
study was conducted to: assess the effects of La Niņa phenomenon on farm
productivity, income, and socio-economic welfare of farmers in the affected
areas; assess the physical effects of La Niņa; compare the effects on
agricultural production of the current and past La Niņa episodes; identify
the measures/interventions; identify the problems/constraints encountered
and coping mechanisms employed by farmers; and draw up policy recommendations
for the formulation of disaster mitigating measures for future La Niņa
episodes.
Twenty
farmers from each barangay for a total of 180 were randomly selected as
respondents for the study. The key informants for the focus group discussions
included: the mayors, provincial agriculturists, municipal agriculturists,
municipal agricultural officers, provincial veterinarians, livestock/meat
inspectors, provincial engineers, heads of other line agencies, members
of regional La Niņa task forces, farmer leaders, and barangay captains.
Primary
data were gathered through interviews with the respondents using pre-tested
questionnaires and focus group discussions with key informants.
Secondary data were gathered from the Department of Agriculture Regional
Offices, Presidential task Force on La Niņa, and other line agencies.
Primary
data on production for one season (coinciding with wet season during normal
year) during La Niņa episode were compared with primary data on production
for the wet season in crop year 1996. Crop Year 1996 was considered the
normal year immediately preceding the occurrence of El Niņo. Data were
subjected to descriptive and costs and returns analyses.
Regions
2, 8 and 13 were considered as study area. Region 2 covered the three
barangays in Cagayan: Amulung, Alcala and Solana. Region 8 covered barangays:
Abuyog, Alang-alang and Kananga of Leyte. Region 13 covered barangays:
Esperanza, Bunawan and San Luis, Agusan del Sur.
Almost
all respondents (98%) were aware of the possible effects of La Niņa episodes
and they perceived it to be accompanied by heavy rains (91%), floods (28%)
and strong winds (5%). Sixty-three percent stated that La Niņa had
no positive effect on them, however, 83% of the respondents from
Agusan del Sur claimed to have generated some positive effects in the
form of avoiding the extra effort and cost associated with bringing down
the felled logs from the hills - the floods carried them downstream. Some
were able to cultivate the rainfed areas (5%), soil fertility increased
(2%) and fishes became available in the flooded areas.
The
identified negative effects or disadvantages brought about by La Niņa
episodes were: damage to crops (94%), damage to livestock (17%), onslaught
of pests and diseases (24%), delay in planting/replanting (8%), food shortage
(17%), diseases to humans (11%), low production (11%), others (6%), which
included unavailability of transportation facilities, erosion and landslide,
damage to properties, increase in labor costs, higher prices of basic
commodities and low output prices.
Palay
yield for irrigated areas in all provinces decreased to an average
of only 1.954 MT/ha during La Niņa episodes from 3.562 MT/ha during normal
planting season. The average yield loss was 1.608 MT/ha equivalent to
45% of the total yield. Net farm income reduced from P12,138/ha
to P1,159/ha or an average of P10,979/ha.
For rainfed areas, only an average of 1.393 MT/ha were harvested during
La Niņa episodes as opposed to 2.819 MT/ha or 51% of total previous production.
In effect, net income of farmers reduced by P10,551/ha.
Availment
of credit during La Niņa periods increased. Number of borrowers
increased to about 17 %. In addition, 91% of the respondents borrowed
from informal sources and the rest were from formal sources.
The
area planted to rice during the La Niņa (1.61 hectares/farmer) decreased
compared with the normal period (1.52 hectares/farmer). One farmer also
refrained from planting during La Niņa. A bigger decline in area planted
to corn was observed, from an average of 1.27 hectares/farmer for the
normal period to 0.89 hectare/farmer during La Niņa. For rice and corn,
there was a general decline in the average area planted to other crops.
From an average of 0.70 ha/farmer during the normal year, the area declined
to only 0.59 ha/farmer when the La Niņa phenomenon started to take its
toll. Two farmers stopped planting other crops during the onset of La
Niņa.
In
terms of lives and properties, 42,052 families were affected in Agusan
del Sur while the number of damaged houses reached 1,417, of which 86
were totally devastated. Damage to infrastructure was estimated at around
P490 M: P112 M for national roads and
bridges, P222 M for provincial roads and bridges and
P156 M for municipal/barangay roads and bridges and other
public buildings. Partial report of damage in Cagayan listed 29 municipalities
composing of 285 flood-damaged barangays. More than 19,000 families
or 99,000 persons were affected. Totally damaged houses numbered 121 and
those partially damaged reached 1,414. Damage to infrastructure/roads
and bridges were valued at around P200 M. |
