BACOLOD City – Rice farmers and animal raisers in Negros Occidental lost more than P5 million due to heavy rains and floods brought by Tropical Storm “Dante.”
Production losses among rice farmers cost P4.46 million, according to a report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist on Friday.
A total of 176.88 hectares farmed by 143 farmers were affected, based on the report from May 31 to June 2.
Some 60 rice farmers in Hinoba-an town incurred the biggest losses, at P2.31 million, accounting for 93 hectares of damaged farms in six barangays.
Moises Padilla posted P888,704.48 worth of production losses, affecting 35 farmers with almost 39 hectares of farms in five barangays.
In Cadiz City, 28 farmers suffered P881,491.88 worth of damages, covering 29.5 hectares of ricefield in seven barangays, while in Pontevedra, 12 farmers with a combined area of 11.69 hectares reported losses worth P257,535.
A total of P113,775 worth of damages was listed in Victorias City, affecting eight farmers with 3.7 hectares of rice farms.
On the other hand, the livestock and poultry sector reported P583,468 damage.
Animal raisers in Hinoba-an lost P352,956.22.
Affected were 135 heads of swine, free-range chicken, carabao, goat, cattle, and ducks, aside from P8,600 worth of damage to pig pens.
Binalbagan lost P150,750, accounting for 118 heads of free-range chicken and duck, and destroyed poultry houses, while in La Carlota City and San Enrique gamefowl and broiler raisers logged P63,620.21 worth of damages.
In E.B. Magalona, 43 heads of free-range chicken, gamefowl, and Pekin duck were affected, amounting to P7,541.92.
Affected animals were either drowned or died in severely cold weather, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office said.(PNA/PN)
