By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Provincial agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino, yesterday announced the first rice harvest, or “cropping,” will be delayed due to El Niño, which AccuWeather describes as a climate pattern that raises sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and results in drought conditions due to reduced rainfall.
He also noted, production is also expected to be affected by the current weather conditions.
Masculino, said planting began this month, when the rainy season began. Such activity typically begins in May.
Meanwhile, the provincial agriculturist said a strategic area for agriculture development was launched earlier this week in Don Salvador Benedicto, which makes the town eligible for funding from the Department of Agriculture as a means of alleviating poverty.
The municipality is expected to receive P15 million annually through the program, which is expected to extend through 2022./DGB, WDJ