RECENT heavy rains and floods in some parts of Negros Occidental left an initial damage and production losses of almost P6.5 million to the province’s agro-fishery sector. Partial report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed that in Victorias City, 240 hectares of rice farms were affected by northeast monsoon rains that triggered floods. The cost of damage is pegged at P1.77 million. Cadiz City posted total damage and production losses worth P2.86 million, the report showed. Of the figure, P1.43 million is accounted for 75.2 hectares of rice farms; P1.25 million for eight hectares of high-value commercial crops (HVCC); and P180,000 worth of damaged boats and fishing gears. Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said the cost of damage is still expected to increase as other localities have yet to submit their reports to the OPA. Indemnity claims will be granted to farmers enrolled under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance, he added. In terms of livestock and poultry sector, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported an initial damage amounting to P1.86 million. The amount was incurred by animal raisers in 16 localities namely cities of Escalante, San Carlos, Sagay, Victorias, Talisay, Silay, Bago, and La Carlota, and towns of Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Calatrava, San Enrique, Valladolid, Hinigaran, Pontevedra and La Castellana. Bulk of the damage was noted among poultry animals like free-range chicken and gamefowl, which are highly-vulnerable to low temperature. Other affected animals are swine, goat and carabao mainly through drowning, the PVO reported. Dr. Ryan Janoya, head of PVO Animal Health and Meat Inspection Services Division, said they continue to urge local animal raisers to implement necessary mitigation measures to lessen possible adverse effects of calamities. Janoya reiterated that during rainy season, respiratory diseases are normally affecting poultry animals while ruminants or plant-eating animals are suffering from internal parasites. “There is a need to provide enough food and supplement as well as comfortable and safe shelter to animals especially that we might be experiencing a weak La Niña,” he said, adding that farmer-raisers are also urged not to leave their animals in flood-prone areas. Source - http://www.sunstar.com.ph