Dry spell destroys P250-M crops in Southern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The dry spell has so far destroyed about P250 million in palay and corn crops in Southern Mindanao.

The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently reported that at least 5,536.9 hectares of rice lands and 6,944.73 hectares of cornfields have been affected.

Losses incurred on rice reached P140,262,498.14 with 9,317.30 metric tons of produce lost.

At least 4,131.33 hectares of rice fields were affected in Davao del Sur; Davao del Norte, 627; Compostela Valley, 330.25; Davao City, 320 and Davao Oriental, 10 hectares.

Damage to corn crops reached P107,904,557.15 with 19,253.30 metric tons of produce lost. In Davao City alone, a total of 2,746.55 hectares were affected.

El Niño also affected corn production in Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the dry spell in the Davao region might prevail until April.

The DA has launched cloud-seeding operations in various parts of the region to mitigate the effects of the dry spell. It also encouraged farmers to plant drought-resistant varieties.

A state of calamity was declared in North Cotabato  two weeks ago to hasten the release of funds to mitigate the  effects of the dry spell. Some 28,000 hectares of rice fields have been damaged by the drought since November.