The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption this week could affect the yield and quality of sugar from
Asociacion de Agricultores de La Carlota y Pontevedra Inc. in La Carlota, Negros Occidental, one of the country’s biggest sugar farmer associations which accounts for 10 percent of national production.
SRA did not give any projections but its administrator, Pablo Azcona said acidity of the ash can cause burning of the leaves which will hasten maturity of the cane. This will in turn lower the sugar level.
Azcona told reporters in a press briefing on Tuesday one of the immediate effects of volcanic ash to sugar canes when Kanlaon erupted in June was the physical damage on the leaves, reducing photosynthesis capability and causing biological and chemical disruption on the soil. These all led to the reduction of sugar yield.
Over the long term, sugar crops can cause nutrient imbalance on the soil, compaction and erosion and chemical leaching that may reduce the soil pH level.
Azcona is hoping that just like what happened last June, rainfall will help wash away ash fall and lower the acidity levels of crops.
Volcanic ash fall can in fact help enhance soil fertility over time and improve crop yields as it is rich in minerals and nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and trace elements which can
SRA said if controlled, fine particles in volcanic ash can also improve soil texture and water retention, aiding root growth. Volcanic ash can help reduce the need for frequent irrigation and can act as a natural pesticide by creating a physical barrier that deters pests and disrupts their life cycles, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
Even before this latest eruption of Kanlaon, SRA has projected a decline in the country’s sugar production for the current crop year to 1.78 million metric tons (MT), down by 7.3 percent from the previous crop year’s 1.92 million MT due to the effects of both El Niño and La Niña.
