The dry spell has caused an initial damage of P7.079 million to rice crops in 11 barangays in one city and two towns in Negros Occidental, OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said Tuesday, January 30.
The damage to rice crops in 117.22 hectares has affected 143 farmers, she said.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported P4.105 million in damage covering 52 hectares in Cauayan town, Himamaylan City – P2.414 million affecting 59.22 hectares and Isabela town – P560,250 with six hectares affected.
Genzola said the OPA sent agriculture extension workers to validate the damage reported by the three local government units.
“The crops are either in vegetative or harvestable stage…you can see the soil is cracking from the dry spell and plants have wilted,” she said.
Most of the affected areas are rainfed, or those that rely mainly on rainfall for water, she said.
Genzola said farmers covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. will be able to avail of crop insurance. The provincial government has also allocated funds for the crop insurance program, she added.*