Farm losses from habagat, 3 typhoons near ₱2-B

Agricultural losses from the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng have climbed to nearly ₱2 billion, with more than 50,000 farmers and fishers affected across seven regions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

The DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center reported ₱1.73 billion in initial damage and losses, covering 40,954 hectares of agricultural areas and 43,220 metric tons (MT) of lost production. A total of 50,277 farmers and fishers have been affected.

The damage covers the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

The rice sector suffered the heaviest losses at 26,912 MT valued at ₱974.82 million. High-value crops followed with 12,492 MT worth ₱540.11 million, involving vegetables, spices, legumes, fruits, root crops and ornamental plants.

Corn losses reached ₱85.33 million, while cassava damage was estimated at ₱22.99 million. Livestock losses totaled ₱14.85 million involving 23,188 animals, while fisheries suffered ₱9.26 million in losses.

The storms also damaged agricultural infrastructure and equipment, including ₱60.96 million worth of irrigation facilities, ₱16.61 million in farm structures and ₱1.37 million in machinery and equipment.

To help affected farmers and fishers recover, the DA has made available ₱246.6 million in assistance covering rice, corn, high-value crops, cassava, fisheries, livestock, agricultural equipment, facilities and infrastructure.

Of the amount, ₱210.93 million is allocated for agricultural inputs for rice, corn and vegetables, while ₱35.67 million in insurance payouts is available for 5,005 insured farmers and fishers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Affected farmers can also access zero-interest Survival and Recovery (SURE) loans of up to ₱25,000 each, payable over three years.

Meanwhile, the National Food Authority has distributed 3,631 bags of milled rice to affected local government units in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon and Mimaropa.

The DA has also deployed Kadiwa trucks to provide logistical support to farmers as recovery efforts continue.