Ex-DA chief: El Niño damage to agriculture underreported

MANILA, Philippines — The damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon to the agriculture sector is underreported, according to former Department of Agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor, as he noted that the DA has reported total farm losses of only P5.9 billion.

For his part, Coscolluela said that late-milled sugar fields have not been replanted because of dry conditions. “The tonnage already lost on standing cane due to dry conditions cannot be recovered, however much you fertilize the stunted cane. All told, I see a 30-percent loss in tonnage in Negros. In other provinces, I don’t know. I have to check on area and tonnage when I open my data files later,” he said.Montemayor said that aside from sugarcane plantations, coconut farmers also reported that they were affected by El Niño.

“It is not only in the sugarcane, including fish, fishponds. We did not hear damage from the El Niño, the figures on affected animals were also underreported as when there is too much heat, the animals suffer stress. For chicken layers, it affects the eggs, so the production of eggs will be affected,” he said.

He warned that the country could experience tight rice supply especially during the lean months of July, August and September.Flex your summer! 4 must-do activities to make this sunny season your best yetCelebrate Mother’s Day with heartfelt indulgences at Hilton ManilaFilipinos becoming more mindful of snacking habits – State of Snacking reportDND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that the DND was never a party to any deal struck between the Chinese embassy and the Philippine...

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