Agri damage due to Habagat, Neneng, past cyclones reaches P1.73B

The combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), past cyclones Luis and Maymay, and now Tropical Depression Neneng have led to P1.73 billion worth of damage and losses to the country's agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

The latest assessment by DA regional offices showed that the weather disturbances affected agricultural and fishery areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas.

There were 40,954 hectares of agricultural areas hit and 43, 220 metric tons of production losses incurred.

Of the total damage and losses recorded, rice accounted for the biggest share at P974.82 million.

It was followed by high value crops which posted P540.11 million worth of losses. Among the affected crops include upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, calamansi, durian, lanzones, mangosteen, papaya, rambutan, watermelon, banana, root crops, and ornamental crops.

Corn also suffered P85.33 million in losses. Cassava production also sustained P954,270 in losses.

Livestock, including chickens, fighting cock, swine, cattle, carabaos, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, horses, quails, and turkeys, suffered P14.85 million in losses.

Irrigation facilities and farm structures also sustained damage amounting to P60.96 million and P16.61 million, respectively. Machineries and equipment also posted damage amounting to P1.37 million.

Meanwhile, fisheries and aquatic resources sustained P9.26 million in losses.

There were 50,277 farmers affected by the weather disturbances.

Affected farmers may avail themselves of P210.93 million worth of agricultural inputs like rice, corn, and vegetable seeds.

They may also avail themselves of loans of up to P25,000 under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).

The DA also said the National Food Authority will also distribute 3,631 bags of palay-milled rice to affected local government units in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa.

Moreover, the DA said that KADIWA trucks were deployed to transport agricultural commodities and assistance in affected areas.

The department is also monitoring prices of agricultural commodities. — RSJ, GMA News