Damage caused by Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption to agriculture in Negros Occidental has increased to P128,624,693.
OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola in a report to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson released to the media Friday, said as of Jan. 6 damage to rice was P3,059,362, corn – P503,352, high value crops (HVC) – P124,931,974, and fisheries – P130,005.
The affected 580.87 hectares of rice, corn and HVC are located in Bago City, La Carlota City, and La Castellana.
Farmers affected are 1,882, of which 1,168 have been planting high value crops such as vegetables and coffee. Genzola said.
Their crops were damaged by ash and sulfur emissions from the volcano, Genzola said.
But rain washed off the ash on some plants enabling them to survive, she also said.
Some farmers who were relocated to evacuation centers have also been unable to tend to their crops located in Kanlaon’s 6-kilometer danger zone, Genzola added.*