MANILA, Philippines - Farmers in Murcia, Negros Occidental are reporting lower harvest yields due to the long, dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

Reports received by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said lack of irrigation is affecting as much as 45.5 hectares of rice and corn in Murcia, Himamaylan City and Cauayan.

In an interview, farmer Jonathan Camacho said his one-hectare corn plantation is expected to yield only 6 sacks of corn instead of the normal 80 sacks. He admitted that he is now concentrating on his rice field, which needs lesser water to irrigate.

Municipal agriculturist Edgardo Alcantara said the effect of the dry spell remains bearable since corn is a tertiary crop in Murcia. He said a number of farmers have already shifted from planting corn to root crops instead while others have opted to raise cattle instead.

The province has alloted a budget for cloudseeding operations.