Rats, El Niño ravage crops in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Crops in this province were devastated by the El Niño dry spell and rat infestation, according to the provincial agriculture chief.
 
At least 23,280 farmers have lost their crops, said Provincial agriculturist Eliseo Mangliwan, citing the latest crop damage summary for 2016.

Also, at least 27,558.55 hectares in 17 towns – including this city were affected – with the damaged placed at P402, 724, 040.73, Mangliwan noted.
 
Mangliwan said  the damage include:

• rice – P118, 939, 976.08

• corn – P110, 850, 063.65

• coconut – P115, 693, 368.00

• rubber – P48, 250, 935

• oil palm – P5, 982, 912

• cacao – P2, 293, 290

• coffee – P713, 496.

Still validating reports

The numbers might go up still as the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) is still validating the report, according to the agriculture official. Not yet included in the report is the damage suffered by banana plantations.
 
OPAG is yet to receive the damage report on rice from Mlangin town. Town Mayor Joselito Pinol has estimated the damage at P200 million.

“We are still waiting for the reports which will be submitted to us by a multi-national banana firm,” Mangliwan said.
 
Mangliwan said the total damage to crops in this province might reach P1 billion this year.
 
OPAG noted that crop damage, including high value crops, totaled more than P1 billion in 2015.
 
“Yes we fear that this year’ damage might also reach P1 billion or even more, because of long dry spell and the pests that continue to feast on farms across the province,” Mangliwan.
 
For now, Mangliwan said the provincial government cannot help the farmers.

He said, however, that the agriculture office would be helping the farmers during planting season.
 
“What we have done so far is support through cloud seeding by the Department of Agriculture to save the remaining crops, particularly those near our irrigation system,” Mangliwan said.
 
Ecclesiastes Roque, chairman of small-scale banana planters in this province, said at least 3,000 hectares of banana farms have been destroyed and are no longer productive as the land is totally dehydrated.
 
He estimated damaged to banana farms at to P400, 000 to P1 million.

“The only way these plants can survive is by renting a fire truck to water the plantation,” Roque added.

2 months without water
 
Also, an Indigenous People community in Sitio Puas Inda, Barangay Amas is now experiencing water shortages as streams and rivers have dried up.

At least 250 families or nearly 1000 people are feeling the pinch of the water shortage in the village.

It has been nearly two months since the area has been without water, tribal leader Datu Antonio Puas said.

Puas said they have resorted to fetching water in a flowing creek near Malamote River, which is at least a kilometer from the village.

The water is used mainly for cooking and drinking, even if the people are not sure if the water is potable, according to the tribal leader.

The rubber and coffee nurseries that served as source of livelihood for the tribe were also damage by El Niño.
 
Even the yellow cassava variety – a known drought-tolerant plant – distributed by the city government, did not survived the searing heat.
 
The city government now plans to employ fire trucks to ration water the tribal and other villages. – Williamor Magbanua/VS, GMA News