Agri damage from Habagat, cyclones Luis, Maymay tops ₱300M — DA

The agriculture sector has incurred ₱347.37 million in damage and losses due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and recent tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

Ongoing assessments by DA regional offices showed that damage was recorded in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas, affecting 10,662 hectares of agricultural land.

Of the total damage and losses, rice accounted for the biggest share at ₱242.05 million.

High-value crops suffered ₱73.92 million in losses, including upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, calamansi, papaya, watermelon, banana, and root crops.

Corn sustained ₱12.25 million in damage, with most of the affected crops in the vegetative and reproductive stages.

Irrigation facilities and farm structures also sustained damage amounting to ₱16.07 million and ₱2.19 million, respectively.

Livestock, including goats, swine, cattle, carabaos, free-range chickens, ducks, horses, and quails, suffered ₱786,250 in losses.

Cassava production also sustained ₱102,000 in losses, according to the DA.

Overall, the monsoon and tropical cyclones reportedly resulted in production losses totaling 9,491 metric tons.

The DA said the weather disturbances have affected 12,161 farmers based on its latest assessment.

Affected farmers may avail themselves of ₱125.23 million worth of in-kind assistance on agricultural inputs, including rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, the department said.

They may also avail themselves of loans of up to ₱25,000 under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).

The DA said the National Food Authority will also distribute 1,007 bags of palay-milled rice to affected local government units in the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

Despite the damage caused by the recent weather disturbances, the DA said it does not expect major price movements in agricultural commodities.— MCG, GMA News