Agriculture and fisheries survive El Niño

The Department of Agriculture here described the crop damage caused by El Niño in Negros Oriental as “mild” compared to previous episodes of the abnormal weather phenomenon.

Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur C. Yap said that the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector survived the El Niño dry spell to post 0.55 percent growth in the first quarter of 2005 on the back of strong poultry and fishery productions.

Hisona said his office is still consolidating figures on the total crop damage in Negros Oriental as most of the Municipal Agriculturist Officers have yet to submit their status reports.

So far, only Canlaon City, Bayawan City, Basay and Siaton towns have submitted crop damage reports.

In Canlaon City, 22.3 hectares of the 32.3 total area planted with rice has been declared “without chance of recovery” as a result of the El Niño-induced drought. Production loss amounts to P1,345,150 or equivalent to 127,440 metric tons.

Bayawan City reported 5 hectares of its 258 has. total area of rice planted as "without chance of recovery” with production loss pegged at P320,000 or 800 metric tons.

Hisonia said February is normally a dry season, but with the onslaught of El Niño it has reduced water levels throughout the province.

Fish production, on the other hand, is a different story.

The fish pond industry in the province thrived under the dry spell of El Niño since heat sets off an increased propagation of phytoplanktons or lablab which fishes feed on, said Leonardo Aro, chief of the local Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

This, Aro explains, is a normal occurrence during summer period. Harvest assumption for the fishery industry in Negros Oriental each year is between 2.5 to 3 metric tons
per hectare per year.

There are a total of 2,600 hectares of watered areas in the province, including titled areas, illegally established fish ponds and those that are under lease agreement.