DECEPTIVELY CALM Mt. Kanlaon looks deceptively calm in this aerial photo of the volcano’s summit taken on Thursday morning, Dec. 12, 2024. But state volcanologists say another explosive eruption similar to what happened on Monday, Dec. 9, can still happen. – The agriculture sector losses following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island earlier this month reached P32.34 million, as of the latest report of the Department of Agriculture (DA). — PHOTO COURTESY OF TASK FORCE KANLAON
The agriculture sector sustained P32.34 million in losses following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island earlier this month.
In its latest bulletin, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock sustained damage following this incident.
Some 780 farmers were affected, and the eruption damaged 832 metric tons of local farm produce across 297 hectares (ha) of agricultural land.
“Additional damage and losses are expected as assessment is ongoing in areas affected by the Kanlaon Volcanic Activity,” the DA said.
High-value crops, including upland and lowland vegetables, spices, fruit trees, rootcrops, coffee, and cacao, incurred P29.25 million in losses. About 742 MT of crops spanning 177 ha of land were affected.
READ: OCD issues warning of lahar risk from Mt. Kanlaon
Some P2.58 million worth of rice was hit as well, mostly in vegetative and reproductive stages. The eruption damaged P503,350 in corn produce and P12,000 worth of livestock and poultry.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said more than 6,800 hectares of sugar plantations were damaged in Negros Occidental, the country’s sugar capital.
In a Viber message to the Inquirer, SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said, “It’s too early to tell” the amount of damage sustained by the local sector due to heavy rains.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said earlier that affected sugar crops include those in La Carlota, La Castellana, Bago City, and Murcia based on the SRA’s report.
La Carlota is one of the largest sugarcane areas in the archipelago that also houses one of the largest single mills in Negros. On the other hand, the Association of Farmers of Carlota and Pontevedra Inc. comprised 10 percent of the domestic production.
Azcona said earlier the country’s buffer stock and sugar output would decline if the ashfall from Mt. Kanlaon affected standing crops of sugar.
He explained that the ash fall’s “burning effect” on sugarcane could reduce harvests if the eruption dumps more volcanic ash onto sugarcane areas.
He also said plants could die as the harmful compound from the ash fall could burn sugarcane leaves and cause early maturation.
READ: Kanlaon dumps ash on 6,797 hectares of sugar land
The DA said 1,010 animals were relocated to various evacuation sites in La Castellana and La Carlota, including its Negros Occidental Research Outreach Station.
It is positioning and deploying rescue vehicles and veterinary supplies for livestock animals.
The agency is closely coordinating with national and regional disaster risk reduction and management as well as local government counterparts for response strategies.
The DA is prepared to distribute rice and corn seeds, alongside drugs and biologics for livestock animals.
Affected farmers can tap the quick response fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas and secure up to P25,000 in loans from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, payable in three years at zero interest.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. is indemnifying insured affected farmers.