Damage to agri sector from Usman reaches P300M, says DA

The damage incurred by the agricultural sector from Tropical Storm Usman reached P300 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

Rice suffered the largest damage at P266.98 million, and 7,496 metric tons in terms of volume of production loss.

Around 12,858 hectares and 9,622 rice farmers were affected in the provinces of Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Samar.

“Damages and losses from Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ (now a Low Pressure Area) has increased to P299.44 million with an estimated volume of 9,606 metric tons and damaged agricultural areas at 13,862 hectares, affecting 11,231 farmers,” the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center said.

“The increase in overall values is attributed to the reports in rice and high-value crops in the provinces of Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon,” the DA-DRRM said.

High-value crops accounted for P31.48 million of the total damage suffered by the agriculture sector, including fruit trees, assorted vegetables, and root crops.

In terms of volume, 2,098 metric tons of high-value crops were destroyed in 441 hectares belonging to 1,333 farmers in Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

An estimated P976,267 worth of corn, equivalent to 11 metric tons in 563 hectares that belong  to 276 farmers, were affected in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Masbate.

"The DA-DRRM Operations Center will continue to monitor and provide further updates on TD ‘Usman’,” it said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News