DA to subsidize fertilizers, seeds for Western Visayas farmers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will subsidize P 111.175 million worth of fertilizers and seeds for palay and corn farmers in Western Visayas who were the worst hit by typhoon Frank.

The DA estimates that agriculture and fisheries losses now exceed P3.37 billion in Western Visayas alone.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the proposed subsidy  for fertilizer and seed support for  palay and corn farmers is a key component of the farm rehabilitation package  worth P232.61 million for Western Visayas.

Given the latest damage reports in 11 regions, Yap earlier submitted to Malacanang—and later secured President Arroyo’s approval — a request for P833.52 million to fund agricultural rehabilitation efforts in Western Visayas plus 10 more regions battered by typhoon “Frank,” or 37 percent higher than the original relief budget of P609.22 million. 

The DA Central Action Center (DACAC) reported that as of July 1, typhoon “Frank” inflicted losses of P983.19 million in 123,097 hectares of palay fields; P434.493 million losses in 51,733 hectares of corn lands; P475.83 million losses in 17,146 hectares planted to HVCCs; and P75 million losses in the livestock and poultry subsector.

Damage to the fisheries sub-sector totalled P2.65 billion, DACAC added.

The DA said the typhoon damage had minimal impact on palay and corn output because the crop losses only covered 0.47% of the palay production target and 1.01 percent of the targeted corn output  for the May-October period.