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Heavy rains cause P167.9M in agricultural damage

MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB, GMA NEWSAugust 9, 2012 8:03pm

Plaridel, Bulacan's rice land severely damaged by flood. Local officials reported that 856 hectares of agricultural land in the municipality were ravaged by flooding this week. Bulacan is part of Central Luzon's rice plains, producing much of the nation's annual supply of its staple crop. Mayor's Office/HO

Total damage to agriculture and infrastructures due to heavy monsoon rains amounted to P167.9 million, the Department of Agriculture said in its Thursday bulletin.

The rice sector took the brunt of the damage at P143.9 million. High value crops sustained P10.91 million in devastation, corn lost P10.15 million, while fisheries loses came to P2.28 million.

As for infrastructure, Ilocos Sur took the biggest hit with destruction to irrigation canals and farm to market roads amounting to P643,000.

Total palay loses came to 3,552 metric tons from 25,707 hectares in 19 provinces. However, over 90 percent of total hectares – most of which were planted with seedlings – still has a chance to recover, said the DA.

The corn sector lost 739 metric tons from 1,088 hectares in six provinces (Abra, Kalinga, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Aklan and Negros Occidental). Over six percent or 74 hectares were completely damaged.

In 700 hectares of high value crops, about 3,215 metric tons could not be recovered, the department noted, with 55 hectares having no chance of recovery.

As for livestock, Ilocos Sur also reported damage of P20,000. — DVM, GMA News

Tags: Department of Agriculture

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