Extended drought devastates rice farms across Visayas region

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — Farmers across the Visayas are grappling with severe crop losses as an extended drought continues to ravage the region's agricultural sector. In Carmen town, rice farmer Jess Milagrosa has watched helplessly as his 1,000-square-meter field succumbed to persistent heat and water scarcity, with little prospect of salvaging a meaningful harvest.

The prolonged dry spell has created dire conditions for rice cultivation throughout Bohol and neighboring provinces, with scorching temperatures accelerating soil moisture depletion. Milagrosa's experience mirrors that of thousands of small-scale farmers across the Visayas who depend on seasonal rainfall for irrigation and crop viability.

Local agricultural officials have documented significant damage to rice paddies in multiple municipalities, raising concerns about production shortfalls and potential food supply disruptions. The drought compounds existing challenges faced by the region's farming communities, many of whom operate on thin profit margins.

Farmers are appealing for government assistance, including emergency irrigation support and financial relief programs. Agricultural experts caution that without sustained intervention and favorable weather conditions, the crisis could deepen, affecting regional food security and rural livelihoods in the coming months.