By CESAR JOLITO III
The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has temporarily shelved its planned cloudseeding operations for Negros Occidental following the onset of rains as it eased immediate concerns over prolonged dry conditions.
DA-NIR Regional Director Jose Albert Barrogo said the agency has placed the proposed artificial rainmaking activities on hold as weather conditions have improved with the arrival of the rainy season.
“With the rainy season already underway, cloudseeding is not being prioritized at this time,” Barrogo said.
He added that the cloudseeding program was initially prepared in response to earlier advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) regarding the potential effects of the El Niño phenomenon on agricultural areas.
Despite the suspension, the agency has retained its P6 million allocation for cloudseeding operations, which remains available should dry conditions intensify in the coming months.
“The funds are on standby and ready for use if the need arises,” Barrogo said, noting that any future implementation will depend on weather developments and Pagasa’s assessment of El Niño conditions.
Cloudseeding is commonly used during periods of drought or below-normal rainfall to induce precipitation and help sustain agricultural production.
Barrogo said such operations are typically conducted between June and August when weather conditions are favorable for artificial rain enhancement.
The DA-NIR continues to monitor weather forecasts and agricultural conditions across the region to determine whether intervention measures will be necessary.
As of May 22, Negros Occidental has already recorded around P16 million in agricultural losses attributed to moisture stress brought by the dry spell.
The planned intervention comes as farmers continue to grapple with the impacts of rising temperatures, with officials looking to weather modification as a short-term measure to support water supply for irrigation and crop survival in key farming areas.
Meanwhile, Barrogo said the agency is awaiting guidance from its national office regarding the proposed creation of a Task Force El Niño.
He explained that any cloudseeding operation would still require a memorandum authorizing its implementation.
The agency assured farmers that it remains prepared to respond should severe dry conditions return and threaten crop production in Negros./CCJ, WDJ