Agri damage due to El Niño tops P8.57 billion, says DA

The agricultural sector has so far incurred P8.57 billion in damage and losses due to El Niño, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

Assessments by regional offices showed that the agricultural damage was recorded in Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

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There were 288,058 farmers affected and 291,154 hectares of agricultural lands destroyed.

Of the total damage and losses recorded, corn accounted for the biggest share at P5 billion. Rice also suffered with P2.95 billion in losses.

High-value crops also posted P571.28 million in losses. Among the affected crops are upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, watermelon, banana, and pineapple.

Livestock, including swine, carabao, duck, chicken, goat, cattle, turkey and goose, suffered P37.75 million in losses.

Cassava also recorded P5 million in losses.

However, the DA noted that the figures are subject to validation.

The Agriculture department has so far provided P11.34 billion worth of interventions to affected farmers. Among them is P10.81 billion worth of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, soil conditioner, etc.

Farmers may also avail indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

The DA also provided 95,841 chickens, ducks, swine, goats, sheep, cattle, and rabbits to 92 groups of farmers and 306 farmer individuals.

In collaboration with PAGASA, cloud seeding operations were also conducted in various regions.

There were also water pumps installed in several areas to boost water supply.

The DA earlier proposed a P61.99-billion action plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño on the country’s food supply and livelihoods.

The proposed spending package includes P6.2 billion already released under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program.

The DA said it has begun releasing fuel subsidies to fisherfolk, while the distribution of subsidies to farmers using mechanized equipment is targeted to begin in the last week of October or in November. — BM, GMA News

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