While most farmlands in Negros Occidental are starting to feel the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, organic farmers in the province are not affected yet, Ramon Uy, president of Organik na Negros Organic Producers Association, said yesterday.

Uy said that none of their members have, so, far, reported any damages due to excessive heat and, in fact production of organic crops continued to increase since last month.

He said scientific field trials reveal that organic products thrive better than conventional ones especially during long droughts since they rely on chemical inputs.

Uy added that there are now about 10,000 hectares in Negros Occidental allocated to organic farming.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. had asked the bureau of soils and water management of the Department of Agriculture to hasten cloud-seeding operations to mitigate the damage being caused by the dry spell on sugarcane and other crops in the province.

The dry spell reportedly resulted in c rops turning from green to brown and many have shriveled up in some parts of the provinces because of the intense heat that is predicted to drive up the prices of vegetables in Negros Occidental, he said.

Last week, representatives of the BSWM were in Negros Occidental to assess the situation and make recommendations to their superiors on the request of Negros Occidental for cloud- seeding.*APN

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