“Remind me that the most fertile lands were built by the fires of volcanoes.” – Andrea Gibson
On Monday evening, June 3, 2024, Mt. Kanlaon erupted with a “plume-like, moderately explosive” triggering an ashfall with a 5-kilometer range. It is the most active volcano in Visayas, traversing parts of the Occidental and the Oriental provinces of the island of Negros. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the eruption lasted a few minutes, followed by a relatively strong volcanic-tectonic earthquake, and was a phreatic one, triggered by extreme hot weather. The rise in energy levels pushed water upwards, resulting in the spewing of “incandescent elements from the volcano,” the agency added.
It also confirmed that the eruption was not directly caused by the El Niño drought. A day after, a heavy downpour occurred that washed away the ashes-turned-mud in surrounding communities where many of the residents were advised to evacuate. Officially, it is now on alert level 2.
DOUBLE IMPACT
We wonder what the impacts of a volcanic eruption on agriculture during a recovery period are, still suffering from the drought caused by El Niño. One would surmise that a volcanic eruption is damaging because the ashfall and lava, should there be any, would kill crops, livestock, and endanger peoples’ lives.
Accordingly, the 2017 eruption had significant effects on agriculture but none are available to date. Ashfall physically damages fruits, leaves and roots of the crops. Soil content or its composition is destroyed, causing poor product quality and livestock catching illnesses, from bad to worse, depending on their resistance and tolerance.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reports that soil acidity increased in sugarcane leaves and ground soil after the eruption. This means that as pH level decreases, soil acidity increases. The ideal level for soil in order for a certain crop to thrive is around 6.6 to 8 especially for sugarcane.
The heavy downpour the day after the eruption that washed the ashes down to the communities, especially along agricultural production areas, was considered a blow to the standing and growing crops because it was too excessive for them to tolerate. To date, the city of Canlaon has declared a state of calamity, which means its agriculture is now significantly affected. The same can be said for some barangays of La Castellana where many residents are advised to evacuate.
The affected areas are major agricultural production areas for both localities. Canlaon City sustains its economy mainly from its vegetable production, while La Castellana’s affected barangays grow sugarcane as a major crop contributing to its local economy. Not less than 50% of the entire agricultural land of La Castellana is estimated to grow sugarcane. The extent of damage is not yet available.
‘BLESSING IN DISGUISE’
On the other hand, the eruption can be considered a blessing in disguise. Myth has it that Mt. Kanlaon’s ashes and mudflows of small to moderate flow, is one of the main reasons for Negros’ fertile lands that can produce crops in abundance, particularly sugarcane. The uplands of the cities of San Carlos and Canlaon have rich and fertile agricultural lands making them ideal for agriculture. To this day, the upland barangays these two cities abound with vegetable production and are labeled “vegetable baskets” of the island of Negros.
Moderate ash flow increases soil pH to lower acidity, adds micronutrients and aerates soil, all beneficial to production. Volcanic soil believed to be influenced largely by the presence of Mt. Kanlaon, significantly supports extensive sugarcane cultivation estimated at more or less 300,000 hectares in Negros Occidental alone. This simply means that the right amount of ash flow produces soil fertility and healthy and abundant production.
Also, Mt. Kanlaon brings about biodiversity where it is home to flora and fauna and unique other species in rarities. Downstream, the century-old trees hold significant amounts of water to avoid flashfloods and provide irrigation to major crops, largely rice and sugarcane, that sustains Negros’ economy. Moreover, Negros holds the record as having the most geothermal source of energy in the entire country, which is largely attributed to Mt. Kanlaon. Experts opine that it is believed to store major and important minerals such as copper, zinc, silver, and gold. Over time, ash flows and mudflows excreted by Mt. Kanlaon also forms new land masses.
Finally, while volcanic eruptions are devastating, they bring benefits, especially to agriculture. But, let it be clearly manifested that nobody wishes for volcanic eruptions, much more if it is Mt. Kanlaon.*
