Kanlaon dumps ash on 6,797 ha’s of sugar land

The eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has adversely affected 6,797 hectares of sugar plantations in Negros Occidental, the Philippines’ sugar capital, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Citing a report from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said affected sugar crops include those in La Carlota, La Castellana, Bago City and Murcia.

The SRA said earlier that La Carlota, one of the largest sugarcane areas in the country, is home to one of the biggest single mills in Negros. Also, the Association of Farmers of Carlota and Pontevedra Inc. is among the biggest sugar groups nationwide, accounting for 10 percent of the domestic production.

SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said on Tuesday that domestic sugar output may decline further if Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption dumps more ash onto sugarcane areas, noting the ashfall’s “burning effect” on sugarcane that could lead to decreased harvests.

Azcona said that if standing crops get affected, the country’s buffer stock of sugar would take a hit.

He said that if the ash stays longer on sugarcane leaves, plants could die as this harmful compound could burn them and cause early maturation.

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Mt. Kanlaon erupted anew on Monday, spewing heavy ashfall and emitting strong sulfuric fumes. The last eruption was recorded on June 3, damaging P84.1 million in crops and fisheries.

The SRA’s research and development arm, the La Granja Research Station in La Carlota, said in June the immediate impact of volcanic ash could result in physical damage to the leaves, reducing their photosynthesis capability and biological and chemical disruption on the soil which can result in reduced yield.