Long drought affects 14,000 Capiceño farmers
ROXAS CITY – More than 14,000 Capiceño farmers are already affected by the prolonged drought brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.
Report from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in the province showed that as of March 8, a total of 14,563 palay and corn farmers in Capiz are already affected by the dry spell because their plantation have been damaged by said phenomenon.
According to BAS Provincial Manager Eric Piansay, the drought has already affected 10,278 hectares of palay plantation, of which 3,986 hectares are totally damaged while the remaining 6,292 hectares are partially damaged.
Piansay said that the palay crop which is damaged by the long drought are on its vegetative and reproductive stages already.
He revealed that the value of the damaged palay plantation, which includes the cost of farm inputs, is estimated at more than P33.55 million.
He added that the expected harvest for the crops which is at its reproductive stage is estimated at 1,333.01 metric tons or equivalent to nearly P20 million.
On the other hand, Piansay disclosed that some 2,183 hectares of corn plantation in Capiz are also affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Of the total affected plantation, 940 hectares of which are totally damaged and the remaining 1,243 hectares are partially damaged.
Piansay said that the damaged on corn plantation in the province was already estimated at nearly P8 million affecting 2,018 corn farmers already.
Accordingly, the estimated loss of corn plantation, which is at its flowering stage, is recorded at more than P9.39 million for the expected 939.45 metric tons harvest, he said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in partnership with the municipal agriculture officers of the 16 towns in the province is closely monitoring the damage due to the long drought and plans out mitigation measures. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
