Cotabato City (CNN Philippines) — An ongoing dry spell — coupled by rat infestation — had been taking its toll in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), laying waste to about P140-million worth of agricultural products.
The local Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the figure was based on data gathered last January 25.
According to Regional Secretary Alexander Alonto Jr., the dry spell damaged about P124 million worth of crops while rat infestation caused P16-million in losses, covering about 21,000 hectares of rice and corn plantation in 36 municipalities.
The damage affected 27,308 farmers.
Alonto added that the data might rise once the Lanao del Sur DA provincial office damage report were taken into account.
He added that Maguindanao was worse hit by the dry speil with a production loss worth P94 million or 75 percent of the total damage in the region.
Cotabato City-based correspondent Erwin Cabilbigan contributed to this report.
