Bicol farm losses reach P 4.8-M amid lack of rain
LEGAZPI CITY—Agricultural losses in the Bicol region have reached P4.8 million due to declining rainfall and the onset of the dry season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Tuesday.
Lovella Guarin, DA Bicol information officer, told the Inquirer that data from automated weather stations showed below-normal rainfall across the region this month.
Since April 1, Albay recorded an average rainfall of 6 millimeters, Camarines Norte 7 mm, Camarines Sur 5 mm, Catanduanes 5 mm, Masbate 5 mm, and Sorsogon 4 mm.
Losses
“With these conditions, soil moisture has started to decline, posing risks to crop productivity and irrigation water supply,” Guarin said.
At least 256 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected, covering about 121.71 hectares of agricultural land. Of this, 66.64 ha were damaged, while 55.07 ha were destroyed.
Production losses were estimated at 169.45 metric tons, valued at P4,828,897.60.
Rice accounted for the bulk of losses, affecting 236 farmers and 108.71 hectares, with an estimated production loss of 133.05 MT worth P4,173,697.60.
In Albay, losses in yellow corn reached 36.40 MT valued at P655,200, affecting around 20 farmers across 13 ha.
“Most of the affected crops were in the vegetative to reproductive stage,” said Daryl John Buenconsejo, provincial agriculturist, in a separate interview.
To mitigate the impact, Guarin said the DA has activated a command center for round-the-clock monitoring and coordination. A web-based disaster risk reduction and management geospatial information system is also being used.
She added that the agency is maintaining close coordination with local government units and other stakeholders, while prepositioning agricultural inputs and implementing preventive measures to minimize further damage.
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