SRA to expand sugar plantations in Mindanao

By Rose de la Cruz

The Sugar Regulatory Administration plans to expand sugar plantations in Mindanao — where the soil is rich, the weather is suitable and stable and land is aplenty.

At the 23rd Joint Annual General Assembly of Sugarcane Growers Association of Bukidnon Inc. and the Sugarcane Farmers of Bukidnon Multi-Purpose Cooperative recently, SRA Administrator Pabo Luis Azcona vowed to increase the agency’s presence and programs in Mindanao.

“We are in the process of expanding our research program in Mindanao, particularly in Bukidnon, to help our sugar farmers increase their yield as we see that the future of expanding our sugar industry is here in Mindanao,” Azcona was quoted in the statement as saying.

Azcona urged the farmers not to rush the harvesting their canes to ensure a better yield, noting the drop in sugar prices. The agency said Bukidnon farmers started milling yesterday, almost two months since mills opened in Negros Occidental.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said earlier said the prolonged dry spells brought by El Niño resulted in the cane being physiologically immature, resulting in 16-percent lower sugar content per ton of cane and constrained sugar output despite an increase in planted area, Business Mirror reported.

Last June, the Philippines News Agency reported that testing at the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center in La Carlota City showed a 4.14 pH on sugarcane leaves and a 5.06 pH in the soil after the ashfall from Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.

Both results show increased acidity compared to a 6.48 pH outcome during ground testing last week 06pH in the soil. Azcona said the 6.48 pH result should have been ideal based on the neutral pH level of 7.

“Years of tilling sugarcane fields have affected our soil. As of now, it is too early to tell whether the volcanic ash will cause so much damage to crops. It has been raining on the affected places, and we hope the acidity will be diluted,” he said.

He said, “If it will not be washed out by rains, we will need soil rejuvenation in affected sugar lands to bring it back to the ideal state.”

SRA records showed about 23,000 hectares of sugarcane fields in four sugar mill districts may have been affected by the volcanic eruption.

“We will continue to monitor pH recovery and what needs to be done. We have assigned field personnel, with SRA Board Member David Sanson, to go around affected areas and coordinate with the farmers,” Azcona said.

Based on the report of the SRA research team, the immediate effects of volcanic ash can cause physical damage to the leaves, reducing their photosynthesis capability and biological and chemical disruption on the soil, which can all lead to yield reduction.