BAGUIO CITY — As the country expects to face a dry spell during the first half of 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last week reactivated the El Niño Task Force headed by the Department of Agriculture, which was first formed in 2001 to coordinate government’s response to the unusual dry weather El Niñophenomenon.

DA-Cordillera Information Officer Robert Domoguen confirmed that the Agriculture Department already held a conference to discuss mitigation measures, including the possibility of seeding clouds, planting of drought-resistant crops, and repairing and rehabilitating irrigation systems.

According to Domoguen, the performance of the agriculture sector in 2009 was outstanding although in terms of the needs of the population, the country still needs to do more because of the changing weather patterns.

“We may face a tougher time and El Niño may affect our agricultural produce particularly rice and corn,” Domoguen said.

He also cited that the strong typhoons that hit the country in 2009 have affected rice supply for this year. El Niño is already affecting major rice production areas in Mindanao which eventually may also affect other parts of the country, he said.

According to Domoguen, DA-CAR is embarking on a special climate change project in Benguet and Ifugao, including research to develop strategies and climate change coping mechanisms which may be used as basis for climate change mitigation and adaptation planning from the local government units up to the national level.

He explained that Benguet and Ifugao were chosen because according to the assessments of DA consultants and experts, the two provinces have the capability to immediately institute mitigation measures. These are also strategic areas since water coming from these upland provinces is critical to the lowlands.