DAMAGE to the agricultural sector due to Super Typhoon Karding, with international name Noru, has risen to P3.12 billion as of Monday, according to the latest bulletin by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The volume of production loss was estimated at 158,117 metric tons (MT) with 170,762 hectares of farm lands and 108,594 farmers and fisherfolk affected.
Most of the damage were in the northern mainland Luzon, but the typhoon’s impact went as far as the western part of central Philippines.
Affected regions include Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Cordillera, and Western Visayas.
Rice was the most affected commodity with losses worth P2.05 billion at a production volume of 134,205 MT, spanning 163,162 hectares.
This was followed by high-value crops, including assorted fruits and vegetables, legumes, and spices, at P831.29 million and 20,456 MT; fisheries at P116.55 million; corn at P65.4 million; irrigation facilities and farm structures at P26.3 million, livestock and poultry at P12.86 million, machineries and equipment at P12.2 million.
Cassava and abaca were also reported to have incurred losses.
The department said it is providing assistance to storm-hit farmers and fishers, including P185.69 million worth of rice seeds, P23.16 million worth of corn seeds and P13.55 million worth of assorted vegetable seeds.
It will also distribute P2.45 million worth of animal heads, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry and P554,000 worth of fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia.
Credit assistance through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and the Quick Response Fund will also be made available.
The DA said it will continue to conduct assessment and validation of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson