Philippines: Coping with El Niño - A corn farmer’s story in Sarangani, MindanaoAfter one year of prevailing
El Niño conditions in the Philippines, drought is taking its toll on agriculture and has
affected tens of thousands of farmers especially in Mindanao.
About 40% of the country, or a total of 32 provinces, is likely to experience drought until the end of April 2016, according to the authorities.
Despite the assistance provided by the government and aid organisations so far, some farmers are resorting to various coping strategies to sustain their living. With the uncertainty of when the weather and climate will improve, and a strong La Niña episode associated with flooding and landslides predicted to follow, farmers will continue to seek their own alternative solutions to feeding their family.
Proceeds = PhP 80,000 (1,702 USD)
ACTUAL
Output = 148 bags
EXPECTED20 bags
PhP 10,280(219 USD)
= 20 bags = Php10,000 (213 USD)
Fertilizer
Annual rentfor 1.8 Ha.
Corn seeds
Chemicalspray
? 30K
678USD
Farm input
investment
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United NationsCreation date: 28 April 2016 Map Sources: GSDIData Sources: PAGASA, OPA-Sarangani Feedback: [email protected]; [email protected] www.unocha.org www.reliefweb.int philippines.humanitarianresponse.info
Malungon
Production loss by affectedMunicipalities in Sarangani(in millions)
Alabel
Malapatan
Glan
Maasim
160 PhP(3.4 USD)
46 PhP (.98 USD)
23 PhP (.49 USD)
16 PhP (.34 USD)
6 PhP (.13 USD)
3 PhP (.06 USD)
Sarangani Corn production loss (in millions)
66 PhP(1.4 USD)
26 PhP(0.55 USD)
23 PhP(0.49 USD)
5 PhP(0.10 USD)
Total production loss for Saranganiprovince has been estimatedaround PhP 281M (USD 5.98M)
Malungon
Alabel
Malapatan
Glan
Maasim
Jennie’s eldest son, who had to drop out of school, now drives a
motorcycle (“habal-habal”) providing local public transport
In March and April 2016, school recognition and graduation ceremonies in the vicinity were also opportunities for them to do some photography to supplement their income
The family is consuming bananas as an alternative to their staple food of rice
53% 47%
Distribution of totaldamaged farm areasin Alabel, Sarangani
CornFields
Other crops
WARM
WETDRY
Manila
Sarangani
LuzonNumber ofprovinces affectedby drought
Visayas Mindanao
23
36
DroughtDry spellDry conditionNot affected
Visayas
Mindanao
Luzon
In Mindanao, 23 out of the 28 provinces are currently experiencing drought.
Sarangani province, where 5 of its 7 municipalities are greatly affected, declared a state of calamity on March 2016 due to El Niño drought.
Mindanao
Drought Outlook
Livelihood and Food Security
Glan
MaasimKiamba
Maitum
Malungon
Malapatan
Alabel
Saranganiprovince
Production losses, Sarangani province
She also fears a scarcity of potable water as they depend only on hand-pumptube well. Spending on water will add to theirburden if it dries out.
Her eldest son was forced to quit schoolto help the family seek out othermeans to meet day-to-day expenses
Jennie, a corn farmer from Alabel and mother of threechildren, still took the risk of planting corn on a 1.8 hectares
of rented farm land.
