MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing El Niño episode in the country has ruined P1.23 billion worth of crops since January this year, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday. In a report, the NDRRMC also revealed that the weather phenomenon has already affected 29,409 farmers nationwide, as livestock, high-value crops, rice, and corn on 26,731 hectares of agricultural land were among the commodities damaged. The agency said that El Niño has affected 142 people or 30 families nationwide, but the NDRRMC did not explain in its report how they were distressed by the weather phenomenon. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed more than P360 million of assistance to the afflicted farmers. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation likewise extended more than P42 million worth of aid to them, according to the NDRRMC. The DA previously said farms have been adopting the alternate wetting-and-drying method, which has reduced water consumption in rice fields. It also said it has been testing shallow tube wells for rain-fed areas and applying solar-powered irrigation devices to augment water supply in areas vulnerable to drought.