Rice production and supply in Mindoro, including the popular Dinorado variety, could be affected if the El Niño phenomenon intensifies.
This is according to agricultural and climate data cited by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Oriental Mindoro.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said most rice production in Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro come from irrigated farms, making them vulnerable to reduced water availability during prolonged dry conditions.
The two Mindoro provinces account for about 74% of the total rice production in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region, according to PSA data.
A decline in water supply could affect farmers’ ability to maintain rice production, potentially putting pressure on the supply of locally produced rice varieties, including Dinorado.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagaasa) earlier warned that the ongoing Strong El Niño could intensify into a Very Strong El Niño between September and December 2026, and could persist until the first half of 2027.
The projected prolonged dry conditions have raised concerns over agricultural production and water availability in Mindoro, one of the country’s major rice-producing areas.