By: Jordeene B. Lagare – Reporter

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has urged farmers to consider planting early-maturing and drought-tolerant rice varieties to prepare for the potential impact of El Niño in the coming months.

According to PhilRice, which is under the Department of Agriculture, these varieties can help rice farmers manage water limitations and reduce risks to their crops during prolonged dry spells.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier announced a 92-percent probability of a moderate to strong El Niño occurring in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Citing recent forecasts, PhilRice executive director John de Leon said some global climate models hinted at a potential “super” El Niño, which could significantly reduce rainfall and strain water resources across key agricultural areas.

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PhilRice’s climate-smart maps revealed that approximately 301,000 hectares (ha) of the 1.58 million ha of rice fields in Luzon are highly susceptible to drought, while another 280,000 ha are moderately vulnerable.

In Mindanao, PhilRice identified around 150,000 ha as highly susceptible and over 205,000 ha in the Visayas that are also at risk.

PhilRice senior plant breeder Christopher Cabusora said the recommended varieties are divided into two categories which can help farmers avoid the most severe dry periods.

According to him, drought-tolerant types are capable of withstanding limited water supply while early-maturing types can be harvested sooner.

“These varieties help farmers cope with heat stress and limited water supply,” Cabusora said, adding that they also require less irrigation, mature in about 106 to 113 days and can still yield 3 to 6 metric tons per hectare under stress-prone conditions.

He said drought-tolerant varieties can maintain acceptable yields even with below-normal rainfall.

On the other hand, early-maturing varieties enable farmers to time their harvest ahead of the projected peak of the El Niño phenomenon, lowering the risk of severe water stress later in the cropping season.

Early-maturing rice lowers field exposure to drought, particularly during critical growth stages, unlike commonly grown varieties that mature in about 120 to 130 days.

Cabusora likewise advised farmers to use water efficiently, avoid wastage and adopt water-conserving practices, as well as monitor weather advisories since extreme heat may increase the vulnerability of crops to pests and diseases. INQ

Published Date: May 5, 2026