Ofel agri damage rises to P146 M

MANILA, Philippines - Damage inflicted on agricultural assets by tropical storm Ofel has been placed at P145.85 million, covering 15,888 hectares of rice, corn and high value crops most of which may still recover.

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) shows that as of Oct. 29, most of the affected areas covering 15, 016 hectares have a chance of recovery, while 872 hectares of crops may not recover.

Ofel affected the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Most of the damage comprised production loses in palay estimated at P144.35 million with a total affected area of 15, 557 hectares of which 14, 699 hectares may still recover.

Damage inflicted on corn was valued at P580,680, covering 312 hectares, all of which may still recover.

The cost of damage to affected high value crops was  placed at P919, 650, covering 19 hectares, of which 14 hectares has no chance of recovery.

Agriculture assistant secretary and national rice program coordinator Dante Delima said the damage inflicted by tropical storm Ofel on palay would not significantly affect fourth quarter production.

Fourth quarter harvest is expected to exceed the production target of 6.36 million MT, seven percent higher than last year’s output of 5.94 million MT because of production gains during the ongoing third cropping.

Delima said 100,000 hectares have been pledged for the third cropping scheme that started in September and due for harvest in December. Of the total area, 80 percent, mostly in provinces in Region 2 and Region 3, have been utilized.