By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga is seeking P6.2 million for a cloud-seeding operation in October and November as prolonged dry conditions threaten farms and water sources across the region.
The proposed operation, backed by the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), is intended to induce rainfall in drought-affected areas, including Agusan del Sur, where more than 26,000 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged, affecting thousands of farmers.
Several local government units in Caraga have also declared states of calamity as water shortages and dry conditions continue to affect farming communities.
The cloud-seeding proposal was initially sought by Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo P. Demerey Jr. after the province declared a state of calamity in August because of severe dry conditions, said Gerlie Antipaso, agriculturist II of DA Caraga.
But a technical assessment by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) from Sept. 14 to 17 found that only about 300 hectares of agricultural land in Dinagat Islands qualified for the operation.
The area fell short of the 1,000-hectare minimum required for a standalone cloud-seeding operation.
DA Caraga subsequently proposed expanding the target area to cover the rest of the region during a Sept. 18 exit conference with local stakeholders, including Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale B. Corvera, the Butuan City agriculturist and representatives of the city’s lone congressional district.
Butuan City is also under a state of calamity because of the continuing dry conditions.
The expanded proposal would cover the five provinces of Caraga, allowing the cloud-seeding operation to meet the minimum area requirement while extending potential benefits to more drought-affected communities.
Local officials in Dinagat Islands welcomed the proposal, particularly in communities with limited natural water sources.
“San Jose is in dire need of rain, especially after we found out that we have no natural water source within our municipal territory,” said San Jose Mayor Ruben D. Zuniega.
“Cloud seeding would be a very timely intervention and an immediate remedy to our need for rainwater. It will significantly help in sustaining our water sources,” he added.
DA Caraga presented the regional cloud-seeding plan during the third-quarter full council meeting of the Caraga RDRRMC on Sept. 24.
The agency, however, faces budget realignment constraints in funding the proposed P6.2-million operation.
Caraga RDRRMC Acting Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Caraga officer-in-charge Lorene Sia-Catedral advised DA Caraga to seek assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
“Given that we are facing a crisis needing immediate intervention, and with the impending threat of Super El Niño later this year, we encourage our fellow national government agencies to seek financial assistance through our NDRRM fund to augment their respective response operations,” Catedral said.
She also recommended that the council pass a resolution to help expedite the funding request.
The proposed cloud-seeding operation comes as DA Caraga prepares interventions for the December 2026 to March 2027cropping season, with the agency seeking to restore farm productivity in areas affected by prolonged dry conditions.
Beyond providing immediate relief, the interventions are intended to strengthen climate resilience, protect farmers’ livelihoods and help maintain food production in the region.
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