Coffee, pineapple plantations affected by ashfall from Taal Volcano

Ashfall from the recent Taal Volcano eruption has reached the provinces of Batangas and Cavite and affected coffee and pineapple plantations, according to a 24 Oras report by Mav Gonzales.

In a plantation owned by Cavite-based coffee farmer Randy Mendoza, coffee berries that haven't matured yet were covered in ash. Mendoza had plans to harvest them, but he wasn't sure whether the volcanic ash would affect the taste of the coffee berries.

"Hihintayin na naming tumubo uli yung mga sanga niya. Para after mga 2 years na yun na lang ang pabubungahin ulit," Mendoza said.

The coffee farmers in the area were able to harvest coffee berries in December, but they speculated that they wouldn't have enough supply in the following year.

"Mag-a-Outsource na. Kukuha na like sa baguio kung di sila. Kaya lang worry don pwedeng magkaroon ng shortage," said Agnes Madlansacay, the manager of Cafe Amadeo Development Cooperative.

Cavite farmers, like Mendoza, said they are looking into pursuing other livelihoods. He added that he is considering growing bananas as an alternative source of income.

Pineapple farmers were also affected by the recent ashfall.

Because of the phreatic eruptions that started on Sunday, thousands of pineapple crops were covered in volcanic ash.

Jack Imperial, a pineapple farmer, said that if the crops could still be salvaged if they are washed with water.

"Kung 'di mahugasan, tatlong araw hinog po yan. Mabubulok dahil hindi pa po sapat sa buwan. Harvestin mo naman yan na 'di sapat sa buwan [at] napakaasim. Wala, luging lugi po talaga," Imperial said.

However, he admitted that cleaning the pineapples would be difficult because of the ash, which formed a thick cement-like coating around the fruits.

According to Noel Reyes, the spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture (DAR), the president has been extending help to affected farmers.

"The president distributed 160 million worth of agrifishery and livelihood assistance last night in Batangas City Complex. Meron din ho kaming emergency loan assistance na P25,000 payable in 3 years, zero interest," Reyes said. — Angelica Y. Yang/BAP, GMA News