Typhoon ravages P820M worth of rice crops in Region 6

Super Typhoon Odette damaged P820 million worth of rice crops in Western Visayas, based on initial assessment by the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6).

The region, which recorded high palay production rate in 2020 despite the pandemic, was not spared from the destructive effects of Odette.

Engr. Jimmy Eledia, focal person of Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (DRRM) cluster of DA-6, reported that 28,777.87 hectares of rice crops were either totally or partially damaged by Super Typhoon Odette as of Dec 19, 2021.

This is equivalent to P820,350,928 worth of losses affecting 27,346 rice farmers in the region.

Negros Occidental was the most affected with 20,087 hectares that were damaged equivalent to P696 million with 19,746 rice farmers affected.

Iloilo province recorded P99 million worth of losses to 5,319 hectares of rice and affecting 3,906 rice farmers.

Meanwhile, the province of Antique lost P16 million worth of rice crops affecting 842 rice farmers; Capiz lost P7 million worth of rice crops; and Aklan recorded P6 million worth of losses.

According to Eledia, the extent of the damage to the entire agricultural sector cannot still be determined as assessment is still ongoing.

Eledia added that they are still waiting for the reports of the local government units (LGUs) as to the extent of their damage to corn, high-value crops, and livestock

“As of now, that is our initial assessment. The estimated damages to rice crops will still be subject to evaluation. The extent of damage sa entire agri sector indi pa mahambal subong kay kadako pa, ongoing pa ang assessment,” he said during the Media Pasasalamat & Year-End Press Conference of the agency on Monday at Eon Centennial Hotel in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Nevertheless, he projects that the damage or the losses to the agriculture sector of Western Visayas will still balloon.

Eledia noted that they are expecting huge losses in high-value crops, particularly vegetables, fruit-bearing trees, and agri-forestry crops, among others especially that most of these crops are currently in season.

“Ginatan-aw ta nga dako nga affected ang high value crops, fruit bearing trees, agri-forestry crops, mga mangga, kape, kag vegestables kay season sang vegetable subong. Damo sang standing crops nga naigo gid sang bagyo so wala ta mahimo kay indi ta ma-evacuate ang crops,” he lamented.

DA-6 assured that the agriculture department’s Secretary William Dar has already instructed them to prioritize the affected farmers.

Currently, the agency is also accounting for the number of buffer stocks which will be provided to the affected rice farmers.

Moreover, DA-6 said it is prioritizing its Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) which aims to provide P5,000 worth of cash assistance to rice farmers with at least two hectares of rice crops.

In Western Visayas, DA has allotted P1.17 billion worth of RFFA which will benefit 234,199 rice farmers in the region. (DG)