Ifugao town under state of calamity due to dry spell

By Marcelo B. Lihgawon

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Damages in corn and fish production brought by the dry spell prompted the Sangguniang Bayan to place the municipality under the state of calamity in agriculture so affected farmers could receive assistance.

 The municipality incurred total loss of P453,911,071 in corn production and P1,191,109 for fish due to dry spell that hit the municipality last June.

According to the municipal agriculture office, 7,493.45 hectares were affected by the drought. Corn planted in 431.95 hectares still at the reproductive stage and corn plants in 21.20 hectares at the vegetative stage were totally damaged while 6,474.80 has. at the reproductive stage and 565.50 has. at that  vegetative that were partially damaged with 20% and 50% chances of recovery.

With these damages, the municipality was declared under state of calamity in agriculture and requested support from national government. 

Municipal Agriculturist Eugenio Culimay, Jr. said he hoped affected farmers will at least receive assistance to start the next cropping season. – With a report from Lorena Dulnuan