Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plans for the looming El Niño will center around irrigation and water impounding projects as well as expanding the cold storage network, as reported by BusinessWorld.
The cold storage expansion aims to preserve harvests and minimize the need for imports, ensuring stable food supply during dry spells. Mr. Laurel emphasized that inadequate storage and infrastructure currently contribute to post-harvest losses.
The DA’s strategy also includes water impounding to secure irrigation for crops. The plan comes as the country prepares for the effects of El Niño, which could reduce agricultural output and drive up food prices.