By Erwin Nicavera/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — Production losses due to the dry spell and pest infestations in Negros Occidental have reached about PHP473 million, latest government figures showed.
As of Tuesday, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported total losses of almost PHP104 million in the rice, corn, high value commercial crops (HVCC) and fishery sectors.
In the sugarcane sector, losses have been pegged at about PHP366 million, based on a report of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said field validation is ongoing and is being led by the Provincial Crop Protection Team and agriculture offices of the affected local government units (LGUs).
Masculino said they have recommended continuous field monitoring, fallow period during dry spell, and planting of short-term crops where water supply is not sufficient.
“Farmers were also advised to contact their agriculture offices to report damaged crops and avail insurance claims,” he added.
A total of 2,815 rice farmers incurred almost PHP79.5 million worth of damage. Affected were 2,411.2 hectares of farms in 132 barangays of 20 towns and cities.
Don Salvador Benedicto pegged its losses to almost PHP9.8 million, followed by Himamaylan City and Murcia with PHP8.7 million and PHP8.2 million, respectively.
In Calatrava, about PHP8.1 million worth of rice production losses have been reported; Binalbagan, PHP7.1 million; Cauayan, PHP6.1 million; Hinoba-an, PHP5.2 million; Bago City, PHP3.9 million; San Carlos City, PHP3.7 million; Pontevedra, PHP3.4 million; and Cadiz City, PHP2.4 million.
Also affected are Hinigaran with PHP2.2 million in losses; Ilog, also PHP2.2 million; E.B. Magalona, PHP1.8 million; Toboso, PHP1.3 million; Talisay City, PHP1.2 million; Sipalay City, PHP1.1 million; San Enrique, PHP858,675; Silay City, PHP826,600; and La Castellana, PHP826,019.
The corn sector reported PHP10 million in production losses, affecting 171 farmers in Sipalay City, San Carlos City, and Calatrava planting in a total of 177 hectares.
In the HVCC sector, initial losses were pegged at about PHP1.5 million incurred by 302 farmers with 37.76 hectares in San Carlos City.
About PHP11 million worth of production losses were reported in Pontevedra and Cauayan due to pest and diseases like rats, rice black bugs and leaf blight.
The fishery sector incurred total losses amounting to PHP952,892 in bangus and tilapia production and damaged fishing vessel in Bago City and E.B. Magalona.
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