AGRICULTURAL losses due to the combined effects of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon have exceeded P1.17 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.
The calamity had affected 40,904 farmers and fisherfolk across several regions, it said in its latest bulletin.
The typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon resulted in loss of around 18,086 metric tons (MT) of different crops from 42,708 hectares of agricultural land.
A handout photo made available by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shows flooded areas near Manila, Philippines, 26 July 2024, taken during a helicopter flight of Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Junior (unseen) on his way to visit flood affected communities in the country. EPA-EFE/PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
Major crops affected include rice whose losses were estimated at 10,272 MT valued at P660.6 million. For corn, the loss was estimated at 3,104 MT (P65.4 million) and 1,951 MT (P79.35 million) for high-value crops.
Damage to fisheries was reported to hit P360.8 million, with 3,334 fisherfolk affected. The livestock industry incurred losses amounting to P1.32 million for 5,593 heads of various farm animals.
Data were collected from affected regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
The DA said that it was actively working with its regional field offices and local government units to validate the impact of the calamity.
“Best possible efforts are being undertaken to carry out assistance and appropriate interventions to the affected farmers and fisherfolk,” it said.
Around 72,174 bags of rice seeds, 39,546 bags of corn seeds, and 59,600 pouches or 1,966 kilograms of vegetable seeds were ready to be delivered to affected farmers, the DA added.
Loan programs under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Quick Response Fund and money from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. are available to farmers affected by the calamity, it said.
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