P1.91B damage in agriculture due to Habagat, tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng

The agricultural sector has incurred P1.91 billion in damage and losses due to the onslaught of the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and the recent tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.

Latest assessments by regional offices showed that the agricultural damages were recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

There were 61,237 farmers affected and 54,611 hectares of agricultural areas destroyed.

The weather disturbances have also caused 7,772 metric tons of production losses in agricultural commodities.

Of the total damage and losses recorded, rice accounted for the biggest share at P1.07 billion.

It was followed by high-value crops with P610.32 million in losses.

Among the affected crops are upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, avocado, calamansi, citrus, durian, guyabano, honeydew, lanzones, mangosteen, melon, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, rambutan, strawberry, watermelon, banana, mango, root crops, commercial crops, and ornamental crops.

Corn also suffered P92.68 million in losses. Cassava production also sustained P23.62 million in losses.

Livestock, including chickens, fighting cock, swine, cattle, carabaos, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, horses, quails, and turkeys, suffered P16.275 million in losses.

Irrigation facilities and farm structures also sustained damage amounting to P60.96 million and P16.37 million, respectively. Machinery and equipment also posted damage amounting to P1.91 million.

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

Affected farmers may avail themselves of P237.99 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 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. –NB, GMA News