‘Agaton’ agricultural damage, losses jump to P3.27B
SEARCH CONTINUES Search and retrieval teams, which include soldiers from the 802nd Infantry Brigade, scour Barangay Pilar in Abuyog, Leyte, even during the Holy Week to locate persons buried by the landslide that hit the village and other parts of Leyte at the height of Tropical Storm “Agaton’ (Megi) on April 10. —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARMY’S 802nd INFANTRY BATTALION
MANILA, Philippines — The estimated agricultural damage and losses caused by tropical cyclone “Agaton” rose to P3.27 billion on Monday, said the Department of Agriculture (DA).
According to the DA in its latest report, this value translates to a total volume loss of 90,889 metric tons (MT), affecting a total of 73,891 farmers and fishers, and 32,689 hectares of agricultural land.
The most affected commodity continues to be rice crops with a total volume loss of 75,022 MT worth P1.3 billion.
Fisheries, with 4,824 fisherfolk affected, also suffered P930.5 million particularly in produce, fish pens, fishing boats, gears and engines.
High value crops, particularly, vegetables, cacaos and fruits, was also hit with a volume loss of 13,660 MT worth P301.7 million.
Corn also suffered a 2,278 MT volume loss worth P60.3 million.
A total of 79,282 heads of livestock and poultry, specifically chicken, swine, cattle, carabao, duck, goat, horse, goat, and turkey were also killed by the storm, generating a loss of P63.9 million.
Damage worth P576.2 million in Irrigation and agri-facilities were also reported and another P1.8 million in machinery and equipment.
Meanwhile, the DA assured that it has at least P723.07 million of “readily-available assistance” which will be provided to farmers and fishers as well as the following:
- P500 million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas
- P100 million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council for Western Visayas
- P87.76 million worth of rice seeds, P24,33 million worth of corn seeds, P10.85 million worth of assorted vegetables.
- P0.13 million worth of animal stocks, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry.
- Available funds from Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers.
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DA says agricultural damage due to ‘Agaton’ now costs P2.8 billion
