THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is set to prioritize sampling of sugar canes and sugar land in areas affected by the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon volcano.
SRA administrator Pablo Azcona said this will determine the acidity level of the soil and its possible effects on canes already planted in areas where volcanic ash fall were noted.
“We gathered reports from the field of the strong sulfur smell coupled with the heavy rains in most areas in Central Negros and we know that this can turn into sulfuric acid which may affect our sugar canes,” Azcona said, in a statement.
SRA said testings will include scraping ash from cane leaves and collection from surface grounds in the municipality of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra and La Carlota City where volcanic ash blanketed some fields.
Azcona said SRA received reports some farmers took advantage of the heavy rains that followed in hopes the downpour could have washed out volcanic ash from planted canes.
“…We just want to rule out more acidity in affected areas that can cause problems,” Azcona said.
Higher acidity in the soil would mean less sugar content of sugar canes.
Meanwhile, the SRA ordered the release of P2 million to aid affected localities and another P500,000 for medical missions that will address respiratory diseases related to the incident.
About 65 percent of land planted to sugar are in Western and Central Visayas where Mt. Kanlaon straddles.
