• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported P7 million in damage to rice crops in three local government units (LGUs) of Negros Occidental, affecting 143 farmers.
Dina Genzola, OPA officer-in-charge, said on Tuesday that a total of 117.22 hectares of rice lands were affected by the dry spell in eight barangays of Himamaylan City, two barangays in Cauayan, and one barangay in Isabela.
Genzola said the affected rice lands are either in vegetative stage or harvestable stage.
Most of the affected rice crops are considered rainfed and located in upland areas.
Of the three LGUs, Himamaylan City was the worst-hit in eight barangays, affecting 59.22 hectares of rice lands, with 75 farmers also affected.
Damage has been placed at P2.4 million.
A total of 52 hectares of rice lands were also hit by the dry spell in Cauayan, with an estimated damage of P4.1 million, while six hectares of rice crops were also damaged in a barangay of Isabela, valued at P560,250. | GB
