The long dry spell affecting Mindanao has damaged about P17 million worth of agricultural products in Cotabato City, officials said Thursday.
About 300 farmers in 400 hectares of rice and corn fields were also affected in 19 of the city’s 37 villages.
Barangay Kalangan 2 suffered the worst crop damage, estimated at P2.2 million.
Guialuson Datumanong, chairman of the Barangay Kalanganan Dos Pimbaglan Farmers Association chairperson, said no rain has fallen in the city since January.
City Agricultural Services Division chief Moihammad Abdulgani said the visit of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala last week provided some relief to farmers reeling from losses.
Cotabato City was among the recipients of a more than P390-million agriculture package for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Region 12.
Alcala distributed palay and corn seeds, non-motorized banca for fisher folk, laminated sacks, fertilizers, goats and hogs.
Abdulgani said his office has recommended that the city council declare a state of calamity so the local government can extend assistance to affected farmers.
Source - http://www.interaksyon.com/
