The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is eyeing an agreement with the provincial government to provide a counterpart fund for cloud seeding operation in Negros Occidental.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III, who represented the planters, said on Monday that considering the huge amount of production losses to the sugarcane sector, the SRA can utilize its disaster mitigating fund for such purpose.

Initial reports of the SRA pegged the dry spell damage to sugarcane in Negros Occidental at about P366 million. The figure covers 42,424.86 hectares in affected area.

Yulo, who is based in Negros Occidental, said his office is coordinating with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) for the drafting of an agreement with the provincial government to implement a fund counterpart scheme.

“It would be easier if we can partner with the provincial government since there is already a schedule for cloud seeding in the province,” he added.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), have scheduled the cloud seeding operation for Negros Occidental in May.

Yulo said part of the long-term measures of the SRA is developing drought-resistant varieties, particularly for upland sugarcane areas.

He added that persistent dry spell will have a huge impact on the local sugarcane production output, adding that they have noted a drop in the “millable” canes of some millers in recent weeks.

“Sugarcane is susceptible to extreme heat. The damage is supposed to be potential income of the farmers and planters. We now have to move on to the next cropping season,” Yulo said. (PNA)