This research aimed to gain insights and lessons on the EI Niño crisis and the effects of this phenomenon on the production system and productivity of the livelihood of farmers.
A total of 1095 farmers affected by EI Niño crisis were interviewed from Regions I to IV.
Results showed that farmers in Regions I to IV were very much affected by EI Niño. The effects brought serious problems to farmers in terms of diminished rainfall, delayed planting of crops, crop failure and reduced yield due to water stress, low water supply, drought, induced pests and diseases to crops/animals, and forest fires.
In all the regions studied, majority were aware of the effects. However, farmers were not aware of government interventions on the EI Niño crisis. It was noted that only the Information Education and Communication materials (IEC) was able to keep farmers updated about the government's interventions.
As regards coping mechanisms, many farmers installed water pumps and constructed shallow tube wells. These were acquired through the government soft loan scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture. They also adopted short maturing variety of crops or crops which do not require so much water. Planting of trees were also done to recover partially affected forest. Other farmers reduced household and other personal expenses as well as food consumption. Nevertheless, some farmers engaged in non-agricultural enterprises as their coping mechanisms. Water conservation was also practiced by the respondents.
