CROP losses and livestock deaths caused by the persistent dry spell in Negros Occidental have reached almost P17.6 million, latest reports released by the Capitol showed Monday. The dry weather in the province is caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasts to last until the first half of the year. A progress report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed P17.285 million in crop losses, covering 909.49 hectares of palay, high-value commercial crops (HVCC), and corn, affecting 886 farmers in 24 barangays of Hinigaran and Hinoba-an towns. In Hinigaran, 12 barangays are affected composed of 302 rice farmers in 282.67 hectares, with a total damage of P11.1 million; 24 HVCC farmers in 5.32 hectares, P838,086; and three corn farmers in 2.3 hectares, P234,600. Twelve barangays in Hinoba-an posted crop damage worth P5.56 million. The figure covers 557 rice farmers in 619.2 hectares. Most of the affected rice farms are situated in rain-fed areas, report added. Dina Genzola, senior agriculturist of OPA, said the Provincial Government is urging farmers to avail themselves of the crop insurance program to augment and lessen possible crop losses due to the dry spell brought by El Niño. Genzola said that under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP), claims worth P17, 000 per hectare of damaged farms are provided to enrolled and insured farmers. Aside from crops, the prolonged dry weather has also caused damage worth P345,400 in livestock and other animals in the province. The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported Monday an animal mortality valued at P326,200 and daily egg production losses worth P16,200. The mortality covered 12 free-range chicken, 21 pekin duck, 52 layers, and 4,320 broilers. As of Monday, January 18, 14 animal raisers from five local government units, including Bago City, Cadiz City, Valladolid, San Enrique, and Hinigaran were affected. ‘Don't waste water’ Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. appealed to Negrenses not to waste water amid the continuous dry spell in the province. “We should pray for rains,” the governor said, adding that farmers should share water with each other. Marañon said that as part of mitigating measures, the province has acquired water pumps. He added that the Provincial Government is not keen on conducting cloud-seeding operations due to high expenses but low effect. Source - sunstar.com.ph