BACOLOD City – Agricultural losses in Negros Occidental have exceeded P16 million as prolonged extreme heat and inadequate water supply continue to damage rice fields and high-value crops in several local government units, prompting authorities to prepare mitigation measures ahead of the expected intensification of El Niño conditions later this year.
Data from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) showed that crop damage recorded from April to May reached P16.22 million, with rice farms accounting for P15.89 million of the total losses.
The affected areas include 26 barangays in Silay City, San Enrique, Bago City, Pulupandan, and Hinoba-an.
Acting Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said the losses were primarily caused by severe moisture stress brought about 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.
Aside from rice, high-value crops in Pulupandan sustained losses amounting to P323,220, further affecting the livelihood of farmers already grappling with declining harvests.
With forecasts indicating that El Niño conditions could worsen by August, particularly in parts of southwestern Negros Oriental, government agencies are stepping up preparations to prevent further agricultural damage.
Authorities in the Negros Island Region are expected to activate Task Force El Niño to coordinate response and mitigation efforts across affected provinces. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has earmarked P6 million for cloud-seeding operations covering the Negros Island Region and Western Visayas.
The cloud-seeding operations are expected to be based at the Silay–Bacolod Airport once final approval is secured.
Earlier, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is prepared to utilize disaster risk reduction and management funds to assist affected farmers.
Lacson also warned that signs of moisture stress are beginning to emerge in sugarcane plantations, raising concerns that agricultural losses could further escalate if dry conditions persist in the coming months.
Provincial officials said continued monitoring and timely intervention will be critical to protecting the agriculture sector, which remains a major driver of the Negros Occidental economy.(WDJ)/PN
