NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The persisting dry spell in the province has left P387.42 million worth of damage to crops, livestock and fisheries.
As of Thursday, April 7, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that the damage and production losses to agriculture in the province was pegged at P220,954,063, covering 6,251.59 hectares of farm lands and affecting 7,172 farmers and fisherfolk in 21 local government units. (READ: Dry spell causes Q2 slump in PH agriculture)
According to the report, the highest value of damage and production losses was in the rice sector with P211,968,729.61, affecting 6,924 farmers and 6,049.41 hectares.
This was followed by high-value commercial crops with P4,833,586.25, the corn sector with P3,166,497.50, and tilapia with P985,250.
The Sixth District incurred the highest crop damage with P114,309,191 after it affected 3,588.90 hectares in 60 the barangays in the cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan and towns of Hinoba-an, Cauayan, Ilog and Candoni.
Meanwhile, damage at the Fifth District was pegged at P56.57 million, while the amount reached P39.85 million in the Fourth District, P7.39 million in the Third District, and P2.33 million in the First District.
The report also said that rat infestation in Isabela town caused P498,327 worth of damage, covering 47.36 hectare of farm lands and affecting 48 farmers.
Aside from the OPA report, the Sugar Regulatory Administration and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian earlier reported that damage and losses to sugarcane and livestock were P163.31 million and P3.16 million, respectively.
OPA continues with its field assessment and validation as the dry spell in the province continues. – Rappler.com