Water spray may save Taal ash-coated crops: Agri chief

Crops coated with ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano could still be saved by washing these off with power sprays, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Sunday. 

Authorities on Saturday demostrated how pineapple and coffee farmers in Silang, Cavite could use this method, he said. 

"Kung may power spray, puwede ninyong paulanan ng tubig itong mga fruit trees na may ashfall... Puwede pang isalba ang mga ito basta lang hindi nasira ang mga kahoy," Dar told radio DZMM. 

"Kung nasira naman, talagang i-rehabilitate na iyan; puputulin at yayabong na po ulit iyan," he added. 

(If there is a power spray, you can douse fruit trees covered with ashfall. These can still be saved if the tree is not damaged. If it is damaged, it needs to be rehabilitated; it will be cut and it will grow again.) 

When Taal exploded to life Sunday it spewed towering columns of fine grey ash, which officials said destroyed at least P3.06 billion worth of crops, fish and livestock. 

• Lost and damaged: Taal volcano steals livelihoods 

Authorities in Calabarzon distributed an initial P21.7 billion worth of crops and livestock to help farmers, and were preparing seeds, fingerlings, and rice, the Department of Agriculture said on Facebook. 

DZMM, Jan. 19, 2020