DA places damage to farms at P1.91B

MANILA, Philippines–The latest estimates from the Department of Agriculture (DA) placed the damage caused to farms by Tropical Storm “Ruby” at P1.91 billion.

DA data on affected agricultural areas in the Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions said the bulk of the losses was to rice farms with P1.54-billion worth of palay or rough rice lost.

An estimated 78,497 metric tons of palay were lost, the DA said.

In terms of area, 55,872 hectares of farmland were affected, the department said. Most of the crops were in the vegetative and reproductive stages of growth, it added.

With some 37,314 hectares of rice crops seen to have a chance of maturing or recovering, that leaves about 18,561 hectares that was completely lost, the DA said.

Corn crop losses reached P51.71 million.

Losses in high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables amounted to P226.42 million.

Fisheries lost P48.22 million and livestock, P6.46 million.

Damage to agri facilities, infrastructure and equipment were estimated at P34.75 million.