Post by @philippinestar

DROUGHT TAKES TOLL ON NUEVA VIZCAYA FARMERS A resident walks across the cracked soil of a dried-up rice field along Maharlika Highway in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, on Tuesday, as prolonged drought continues to affect local farmers. Farmer Rolando Rudio, 64, abandoned his newly planted rice crop after the seedlings became stunted from lack of water. He has since taken a job as a construction worker to make ends meet. Other farmers in the town are also reporting losses, including those who rely on water pumps for irrigation and are facing higher fuel costs. (Video by Noel Pabalate/The Philippine STAR) #philippinestar #farmerlife #farmers #nuevavizcaya #ricefields