The Department of Agriculture (DA) said damage to agriculture due to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has reached over P1 million.

“The latest damage due to Kanlaon volcanic activity is at P1.39 million, affecting 40 farmers at karamihan pa rin nito ay rice,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview.

According to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center, rice production losses amounted to P620,280; followed by high-value crops and bananas at P420,400; and corn at P349,320.

For sugarcane production, De Mesa said the Sugar Regulatory Administration reported an initial 10,000 to 15,000 metric tons of production volume loss, with value still undergoing validation.

On the other hand, he noted that the SRA expects around 1.78 million metric tons of sugarcane harvest.

De Mesa assured that the effects of volcanic eruption on agriculture will not result in spiking retail prices of major commodities.

“Very, very minimal, napakaliit lang. Of course, these are very minimal atsaka napaka-concentrated lang doon sa area,” he said.

Meanwhile, De Mesa said initial aid has already been provided to affected farmers.

Earlier, the DA said it had distributed almost P100,000 worth of drugs and biologics to affected livestock farmers in the province.

Other available interventions include agricultural input like rice and corn seeds; drugs and biologics; P25,000 loanable amount at zero interest payable for three years under the Survival and Recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council; indemnification fund for insured farmers under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation; and the utilization of quick response fund. (PNA)