By JEN BAYLON

The crop damage due to the dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon in Negros Occidental has already reached P97.7 million, the latest data from the Office of Provincial Agriculturist showed yesterday.

The agricultural damage in the province is now at P97,788,037, as 135 barangays and 2,585 farmers are severely affected by the extreme heat.

Rice fields are the hardest-hit by the drought, amounting to P93,050,227, while the damage to corn fields has reached P4,737,809.

The drought caused widespread distress among local farmers who rely on their crops for their livelihoods.

As the situation continues to be closely monitored, efforts are being made by the provincial government to provide assistance to the affected farmers, and to minimize its impact on the local economy and food security./JB, WDJ