By CESAR JOLITO III
Agricultural losses in Negros Occidental have climbed to more than P16 million due to a dry spell across several local government units, prompting authorities to prepare mitigation measures ahead of the projected worsening of El Niño conditions later this year.
Data released by the Provincial Agriculture Office showed that crop damage from April to May reached P16.22 million, with rice farms accounting for the bulk of the losses at P15.89 million.
The affected areas include 26 barangays in Silay City, San Enrique, Bago City, Pulupandan, and Hinoba-an.
Prolonged extreme heat and inadequate water supply continue to damage rice fields and high-value crops.
Acting Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said the damage was caused by severe moisture stress triggered by intense heat and insufficient water supply.
“Moisture stress comes from extreme heat and insufficient water supply — crops dry up and yields drop sharply,” Genzola said.
High-value crops in Pulupandan also sustained losses amounting to P323,220, further affecting the income and livelihood of local farmers already struggling with reduced harvests.
With forecasts indicating that El Niño conditions may intensify by August, especially in parts of southwestern Negros Oriental, government agencies are now stepping up preparations to minimize further agricultural losses.
Authorities in the Negros Island Region are set to activate Task Force El Niño to coordinate response efforts and mitigation measures across affected provinces.
Earlier, the Department of Agriculture allocated P6 million for cloud-seeding operations covering the Negros Island Region and Western Visayas.
The cloud-seeding operations are expected to be stationed at the Silay-Bacolod Airport once final approval is secured.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is prepared to tap disaster risk reduction and management funds to provide assistance to affected farmers.
Lacson also warned that signs of moisture stress are beginning to emerge in sugarcane areas, raising concerns that losses could further escalate if dry conditions persist in the coming months./CJ, WDJ