MONSOON rains enhanced by Tropical Depression Henry have brought an initial damage worth almost P526,000 to the rice sector of Negros Occidental, a Capitol report showed Thursday, July 19.

Reports from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed that heavy rains from July 15 to 17 affected almost 84 hectares of rice farms in four barangays of San Enrique town.

Of the 54 affected-farmers, most have farms that are in the seedling stage. These are almost 43 hectares, up for harvest in November this year.

The report further showed that the remaining farms of about 41 hectares are in vegetative and production stages, due for harvest in October and September, respectively.

All of the affected farms are partially damaged resulting in an average yield loss of 44 percent or about 125 metric tons, it added.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said farmers are advised to avail themselves of the crop insurance.

The Provincial Government, in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), is implementing the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP).

Under which, farmers may avail of the P17,000 claims per hectare of damaged farms.

Masculino also urged farmers in the province to immediately report any damage in their crops due to calamities to avail buffer stocks like seeds.

OPA continues to conduct assessment and validation of possible damage in other localities thus, the amount may still increase, he added.