DRY AND BARREN. A rice field has dried up in the mountain village of Mandu-ao in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental due to drought triggered by the El Niño phenomenon. More than PHP229 million in agricultural production losses were reported in the province as of April 18, 2024. (File photo courtesy of Jevy Bianan)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Crop damage and other agricultural production losses in Negros Oriental due to El Niño have reached more than PHP229 million.
A report from the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) showed that as of April 18, production loss in value was pegged at PHP 229.881 million.
This includes rice, corn, high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables, fisheries, livestock and agricultural infrastructures from 13 towns and cities.
The affected areas are Mabinay, Bayawan City, Zamboanguita, Vallehermoso, Bais City, Dumaguete City, La Libertad, Tanjay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Dauin, Tayasan, and Canlaon City.
Mabinay posted the highest losses at over PHP90.6 million in high-value crops and some PHP18.5 million in rice.
Zamboanguita, meanwhile, recorded PHP23.5 million in damage to an irrigation system.
The number of farmers and fisherfolk affected totaled 5,193.
Some 1,306 hectares affected have no chance of recovery (totally damaged) while those that are partially damaged and can still recover were pegged at roughly 3,542 hectares, the report showed.
The agency feared that figures would continue to rise in the coming weeks since not all of the local government units have submitted their reports yet. (PNA)
