November 4, 2024

 

Tropical storm causes close to US$90 million damages to Philippines' agriculture sector

 

 

The Philippines' agriculture sector still reels from the adverse impact of Severe Tropical Storm "Kristine" with losses nearing the ₱5 billion mark.

 

In a bulletin posted on October 31, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the sector sustained ₱4.85 billion (US$86.61 million) in damage because of the storm.

 

Some 120,315 farmers and fishers in the Cordillera Administrative, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions were affected.

 

Rice accounted for about 85% of the overall damage, totaling ₱4.12 billion (US$73.57 million).

 

The weather disturbance damaged ₱50.41 million (US$900,179) worth of farm structures and ₱26 million (US$464,286) worth of irrigation facilities.

 

Losses were also recorded in:

 

    - High-value crops: ₱554.83 million (US$9.91 million)

 

    - Corn: ₱62.38 million (US$1.11 million)

 

    - Fisheries: ₱11.20 million (US$200,000)

 

    - Cassava: ₱10.38 million (US$185,357)

 

    - Livestock and poultry: ₱12.14 million (US$216,786)

 

    - Machinery and equipment: ₱300,000 (US$5,357)

 

The DA is ready to provide cash and in-kind interventions to farmers and fishers affected by Kristine and those who may be impacted by Super Typhoon "Leon".

 

Some of these include ₱1 billion (US$17.86 million) in quick response funds and ₱541.02 million (US$9.66 million) worth of agricultural inputs that will be provided through the DA's regional offices.

 

- Inquirer