Damage to agriculture due to Odette soars to P9 billion

The damage to the country’s agriculture sector brought about by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao has soared further to P9 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday.

The latest tally is higher than the P8.4-billion worth of damage and losses reported on Wednesday.

In particular, the typhoon ravaged 351,932 hectares of agricultural areas in CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Odette affected 132,658 farmers and fishers, with a volume of production loss at 194,671 metric tons (MT).

Commodities that were lost include rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, sugarcane, livestock, and fisheries.

“Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machinery and equipment. These values are subject to validation,” the DA said.

“Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” it added.

The Agriculture department said at least P2.9 billion of readily available assistance will be provided to farmers and fisherfolk affected:

•     P1 billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas
•     P828 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to indemnify affected farmers

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•     P500 million under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for 20,000 farmers and fisherfolk at P25,000 each
•     P314 million worth of rice seeds
•     P129 million worth of corn seeds
•     P57 million worth of assorted vegetables
•     P47 million worth of assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
•     P6.6 million worth of animal stocks, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
•     Available funds from Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The DA noted that prior to Odette’s landfall, a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53 million.

“As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IV-A, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to P82.55 million,” it added.

The Agriculture department said its regional field offices (RFOs) are conducting assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector.

“The DA continuously coordinates with concerned NGAs (national government agencies), LGUs (local government units) and other DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management)-related offices for the impact of Odette, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance,” it said.—AOL, GMA News