Philippine agriculture sector majorly severed by Typhoon Ketsana

The Philippine agriculture sector incurred PHP6.5 billion (US$140 million) worth of losses as Typhoon Ketsana damaged crops, farm areas and irrigation facilities in Luzon, northern Philippines.

 

This is almost double than the initial estimated losses of PHP3.6 billion which Philippine agriculture officials reported last week.

 

In its latest report issued on Tuesday (Oct 6), the Philippine department of agriculture said that the typhoon damaged over 800 hectares fish ponds; killed more than 100,000 heads of poultry and livestock; and destroyed standing crops of corn and vegetables.

 

The department also said that the rice sector posted the biggest amount of damage at PHP5.2 billion. An estimated 301,580 tonnes of palay (paddy rice) were damaged, while floods submerged 183,106 hectares.

 

US$1 = PHP46.73 (Oct 7)