MANILA, Philippines — The cost of damage to agriculture in areas affected by Typhoon Lawin has risen to P10.2 billion with the rice sub-sector sustaining the most damage, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported.
Total damage amounted to P10.2 billion covering 467,068 hectares of agricultural areas with estimated production loss of 244,224 metric tons (MT).
Affected commodities are rice, corn, cassava vegetables, fisheries and livestock with Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 4B (Mimaropa) and 5 (Bicol) suffering severe losses and affecting about 70,000 farmers.
Damage incurred on rice soared to P7.8 billion with 219,323 MT of production lost. Damaged were 404,752 hectares, 249,157 hectares of which have chances of recovery.
Majority of rice losses were reported in Cagayan Valley with a total of P4.3 billion.
Furthermore, the value of damage to vegetables is now placed at P1.7 billion with 18,928 MT of produce lost. Affected were 33,501 hectares of cultivation area, 5,483 hectares of which may still recover.
Losses incurred on corn crops reached P602 million with 5,739 MT of produce lost. Affected were 28,741 hectares, 5,223 hectares of which may still recover.
The fisheries sector was also affected after damages reported reached P85.8 million.
The livestock sub-sector also sustained damages valued at P6.6 million while cassava crops damage is pegged at P2.3 million.
The department is already preparing its resources to replace damage crops as early as possible and reminded affected farmers to acquire certifications from municipal agriculturists for them to receive replacement seeds.
The DA said complete damage assessment and validation caused by Typhoon Lawin remains ongoing.