• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The El Niño-induced drought continues to wreak havoc on rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental, as damage reported by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture has been placed at P214,150,252.20, as of May 3.
In her report to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, OPA office-in-charge Dina Genzola said that the drought affected 5,574 farmers who are tilling 4,183.78 hectares of land area in 219 barangays of the different local government units in the province.
Genzola said that the light rains monitored in some areas of Negros Occidental since last week were not enough to address to lack of water supply, adding that it did not even penetrate the soil.
Asked if there will be a reduction in rice production, as a result of the drought, Genzola further said that they are still collating all the data they gathered from rice producing local government units.
But she said they are expecting irrigated rice areas to produce five to six metric tons per hectare, which could offset the lesser rice production in rainfed areas.
Cauayan remains the hardest hit LGU in Negros Occidental, with damages valued at P66,139,789, affecting 1,130 farmer in 20 barangays.
Mayor John Rey Tabujara has however ruled out the declaration of a state of calamity, noting that they still have enough funds to be able to extend food and financial assistance to affected farmers.
Tabujara said he is concerned more about the upcoming La Niña, since Cauayan has experienced flooding twice in previous years.*
