• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government remains optimistic that rice production, particularly in irrigated areas, will remain stable despite the expected prolonged effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province aims to at least maintain its current level of rice production, even if significant increases in harvests are not achieved.
Lacson noted that despite the calamities that affected Negros Occidental in 2024, rice production still posted a slight increase of between 0.01 and 0.02 percent.
“Our goal is to ensure that Negros Occidental will continue to have an adequate supply of rice,” the governor said.
To cushion the impact of extreme heat and prolonged dry spells on non-irrigated farmlands, Lacson advised farmers who rely mainly on rainwater to temporarily shift to root crops that are more resilient to high temperatures and limited water supply.
As part of the provincial government’s mitigation measures, rubberized dams are being installed along rivers to provide additional irrigation water, particularly for farms dependent on rainfall.
Lacson said the installation of the province’s first rubberized dam is ongoing in Manapla, and is expected to help address water shortages in nearby agricultural areas. | GPB
