Capiz reports P184-million crop loss to El Niño

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Agricultural crops worth approximately P184.63 million suffered damage, while 3,427 farmers grappled with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Sylvia Dela Cruz, the provincial agriculturist of Capiz, reported that data from 13 municipalities showed 3,115.11 hectares of rice land impacted, with 852.41 hectares totally damaged and 2,272.70 hectares partially damaged.

Dela Cruz noted, “5,065.41 hectares of standing crop, or about half of the rice lands, were damaged by El Niño.”

The drought severely hit several barangays, with Jamindan town losing 317.39 hectares, Sigma 992 hectares, Dao 289.5 hectares, Mambusao 179.95 hectares, and Dumarao 135.65 hectares of agricultural land.

While a decrease in agricultural crops has been observed, the full impact on Capiz’s rice supply remains undetermined.

The data, according to Dela Cruz, were compiled by the Department of Agriculture (DA) from various municipalities using a standard form and computation method.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist continues to urge municipalities to submit their reports on the El Niño phenomenon’s local effects.