• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Damage to rice and corn crops in Negros Occidental brought about by the El Niño drought has further increased to P87.477 million as of March 13, according to a report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Affected were 2,220 farmers planting 1,951.80 hectares in 99 barangays of 15 local government units in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, however, said the Department of Agriculture is not keen on recommending the conduct of cloudseeding operations for the affected areas in southern Negros.
It was stated in the unofficial report that cloudseeding may damage 20,000 mango trees in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, and 5,000 more mango trees in Guimaras, he added.
The drought also caused water shortage in 11 of the 19 barangays in Himamaylan City, affecting 18,507 families composed of 30,825 individuals.
In terms of crop damage, Kabankalan City was the hardest hit with P41.910 million damage to rice lands, affecting 1,214 farmers, while Cauayan has the most number of affected barangays with 17 villages. | GB
