BACOLOD CITY — At least PHP3.2 million in damage and production losses, particularly to rice plantations, were reported in Negros Occidental as of Thursday after the onslaught by tropical storm Urduja.
According to a report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the damage were reported by rice farmers in northern Negros.
Affected were 185 farmers from five barangays in San Carlos City, with 185-hectare rice farms, with losses pegged at close to PHP2.85 million.
In Cadiz City, 19 rice farmers in seven barangays reported production losses of PHP320,000.
OPA chief Japhet Masculino said affected farms in San Carlos were already in ripening stage, which explains the huge production losses, while those in Cadiz are still in vegetative stage, and production could still be recovered.
The figures could still increase as field assessment and validation continues, he added.
Masculino said affected farmers could avail of the crop insurance claims if they are enrolled under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance.
Meanwhile, the OPA is validating with the City and Municipal Agriculture Offices if indeed rice production in the province has dropped this year.
Based on their records, the province’s agricultural crops, including rice, have incurred total damage amounting to at least PHP80 million for 2017.
This is mainly attributed to calamities like typhoons and flooding, and pest infestation.
“This setback may affect the status of our rice sufficiency, but we have yet to make necessary validations,” Masculino said. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
