‘Agaton’ agricultural damage now at P640 million

Sigma town in Capiz remained flooded three days after Tropical storm Agaton triggered what residents say is the worst flooding in the province. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas)

MANILA, Philippines — The estimated total agricultural damage in Visayas and Mindanao due to tropical cyclone “Agaton” climbed to P639.7 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

This is significantly higher than the initial damage reported on Tuesday at over P200 million and on Wednesday at P423.8 million.

According to the DA, the damage and losses amount to a volume loss of 36,846 metric tons (MT), affecting a total of 10,453 farmers and fishers, and 16,251 hectares of agricultural land.

Meanwhile, the majority of the commodities affected are rice crops totaling 35,541 MT, which is equivalent to losses worth P601.3 million.

This is followed by corn, which also jumped from a 38 MT volume loss to 757 MT amounting to P18.2 million in damages.

High-value crops, on the other hand, particularly, vegetables, cacaos and fruits, also suffered a volume loss of 488 MT worth P19.8 million.

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EDV