• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The El Niño-induced drought continues to wreak havoc on rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental with damage reported by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at P214.150 million as of May 3.
In a report to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, OPA officer-in-charge Dina Genzola said that the drought has affected 5,574 farmers who are tilling 4,183.78 hectares of land area in 219 barangays of the different local government units (LGUs) in the province.
Genzola said that the light rains monitored in some areas of Negros Occidental since last week is not enough to address the lack of water supply, adding that it did not even penetrate the soil.
Genzola said that they are still collating the data gathered from rice-producing LGUs to determine if there will be a reduction in rice production as a result of the drought.
She said they are expecting irrigated areas to produce five to six metric tons per hectare to offset lesser rice production in rainfed areas.
Cauayan has remained the hardest-hit hit LGU in Negros Occidental, with damage of P66.139 million, affecting 1,130 farmer in 20 barangays.
Mayor John Rey Tabujara ruled out the state of calamity declaration, noting that they have still enough funds to extend food and financial assistance to the affected farmers. | GB
