Amidst the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and global warming, and shortly after the end of the three-year La Niña period, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially declared the onset of El Niño in a June report.


El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon that occurs when the water from the central and eastern equatorial parts of the Pacific rises to above-than-average sea surface temperatures, altering the weather and temperatures in different regions.

 

Depending on the intensity and duration of this phenomenon, and your location, these changes in weather patterns can have beneficial and adverse effects, especially for local agricultural sectors.

 

 

Positive Effects of El Niño

 

In some drought-prone areas, the increased rainfall brought by El Niño can have positive effects because it can help communities replenish their water supplies and allow farmers to cultivate and grow their crops. El Niño can also extend the growing season in some areas due to milder temperatures and longer summers. Farmers can then take advantage of this to boost their yields and incomes.

 

Adverse Effects of El Niño

 

While it can have some positive effects in certain regions, it can also give rise to extreme weather conditions characterized by reduced or excessive rainfall.

 

The amount of rainfall plays a crucial role in agriculture and can impact crop growth and overall productivity. Reduced rainfall can result in drought conditions and lead to water scarcity and lower crop yields. On the other hand, excessive rain can saturate planting areas and cause flooding, damaging crops and disrupting farming operations. In addition, El Niño can also create favorable conditions for pests and diseases to thrive due to warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels.

 

 

What does this mean for farmers and agribusinesses?

 

Since the agricultural industry relies heavily on stable weather conditions, any changes in these patterns can have a significant impact. These changes can disrupt operations, bring additional expenses, and affect the quality and volume of crop yields.

 

Moreover, previous El Niño events have presented immense challenges and disruptions that resulted in reduced yields, higher prices, and substantial financial losses.

 

Read: El Niño: What It Means to Agriculture

 

Considering the potential consequences of El Niño on agriculture, farmers and agribusinesses must prepare and take proactive measures to mitigate its impacts and achieve climate resilience. Here are some steps you can take:



1. Assess your vulnerabilities. Examine your business or farm operations and determine the areas that may be most affected. Can you protect your crops in case of sudden rains? Do you have a secure storage facility in case of flooding? By understanding your vulnerabilities, you can prioritize where to focus your efforts and where to invest your resources effectively. It’s always good to practice risks and develop contingency plans to help ensure the resilience and sustainability of your operations.


2. Stay informed and prepared. Keep an eye on the latest weather forecasts and El Niño predictions in your region so you can anticipate potential changes in weather conditions like rainfall patterns and weather extremes. This will help you plan and adjust your strategies to help you better prepare for whatever comes your way.


3. Improve water management. During El Niño, water scarcity can become a real issue. Because of this, it’s crucial to optimize your resource use and reduce water waste to mitigate the adverse effects that drought and reduced rain can bring. One way to achieve this is by ensuring a stable water supply to sustain and continue crop production. It’s also important to be mindful of your water consumption and implement efficient water usage practices. These can include techniques such as rainwater collection,  drip irrigation, and mulching. By doing so, you can contribute to conserving water and minimizing the impact of water scarcity.


4. Diversify your crops. Select and improve crop varieties that are suitable for specific weather conditions. Opt for crops with higher tolerance to water scarcity or excess water but can still produce yields. With this, you can reduce the risk of crop failure, increase the chances of a successful harvest, open new market opportunities, and reduce dependence on a single crop.


5. Continuously monitor and adapt. Enhance climate resilience and productivity of your operations by adapting to new technologies and implementing climate-smart procedures. Climate-smart solutions are simple yet reliable and are proven to reduce post-harvest losses and protect quality.

 

Read: Why We Need Climate-smart Agriculture



GrainPro’s climate-smart solutions in action

 

Throughout the post-harvest process — drying, transport, and storage steps, GrainPro solutions have consistently aided farmers and traders in mitigating losses while effectively preserving commodity quality and quantity.

 

In Mexico, the hot and humid environments provide ideal conditions for the growth of molds and fungi, as well as the proliferation of pests and insects. These factors can damage commodities and lead to spoilage and loss of harvest. To address this, a Mexican businessman found success in using air- and moisture-tight hermetic bags to preserve the quality of his corn for long periods without using chemicals. Witnessing the difference that this storage solution can make, he now recommends this bag to all who take his in-person and online classes.

 

In areas prone to typhoons and flooding like the Philippines, the use of GrainPro® Bubble Dryer™ has proven to be a valuable solution for farmers. This simple and easy-to-use drying solution made it convenient for farmers to dry their commodities even during the wet season. Moreover, using these Bubble Dryers has allowed them to maintain the quality of their harvested rice, thereby increasing their chances of selling it at a more favorable price.

 

Read: Hope for Smallholder Farmers in Adapting Climate-smart Agriculture

 

While preparing for El Niño might require additional steps, it is essential in safeguarding crops and reducing post-harvest losses. By implementing climate-smart solutions, you can enhance the resilience of your operations and withstand unpredictable weather conditions without compromising the quality of your hard-earned crops.

 


To learn more about these climate-smart solutions, click below.

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Date Published: October 1, 2024



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