SOUTHERN Luzon farmers and fishermen lost nearly P600 million worth of crops and other produce, and the losses could increase due to the probable fish kill in Taal Lake caused by the volcano’s eruption, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
In its latest bulletin report on Tuesday, the DA said Taal Volcano’s damage to the farm sector rose to P577.59 million, from the agency’s initial estimate of P74.55 million.
The volcanic eruption affected 2,772 hectares of rice, corn, coffee, cacao, banana and high-value crops, as well as 1,967 animals, according to the DA’s report.
The DA report showed that assorted vegetables accounted for 56.10 percent, or about P323.91 million, of the reported agricultural production losses; while losses from bananas stood at P121.02 million and coffee,P63 million.
Tilapia prices
The DA said the price of tilapia sold in Metro Manila wet markets could go up as supply thinned after the eruption of Taal destroyed an estimated 15,033 metric tons (MT) of tilapia.
The DA explained that about 60 percent of the tilapia fish catch in Taal Lake is sold in Metro Manila, which accounts for 40 percent of its total tilapia supply.
The agency attributed this to a probable fish kill in Taal Lake due to increased sulfur and acidity level after the volcano acted up.
However, the DA assured consumers that it is now sourcing additional supplies of tilapia from other producers in Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and even Laguna and Rizal to augment Metro Manila’s supply and avert price hikes.
The DA added that the tilapia sourced from these areas will be distributed to Metro Manila markets in coordination with local government units and market masters.
“Moreover, BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] will be providing production loans for tilapia producers in Central Luzon to intensify production,” it said.
Two days after Taal Volcano’s eruption, the average retail price of tilapia in Metro Manila markets rose to P124.86 per kilogram (kg) on January 14 from P122.50 per kg recorded on January 13, according to the DA’s market monitoring report.
Interventions
The DA said various interventions for crops and livestock worth P21.7 million will be distributed by its regional office in Calabarzon to 17 local government units (LGUs).
“These interventions include the provision of livestock for restocking [with] rice and corn seeds, high-value crops planting materials and other production inputs,” it said.
The DA added that its attached agency, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has sufficient supply of drugs and biologics that will be provided for affected livestock in the area. The DA said it has two trucks for animal rescue and evacuation.
“As for the Bureau of Plant Industry, a total of 5,000 coffee mother plants and 1,000 cacao seedlings are ready for distribution for damaged coffee and cacao areas,” it said.
“The BFAR will prepare immediate assistance in the form of fingerlings [7 million fingerlings for tilapia; 20,000 for giant freshwater shrimp or ulang; 50,000 for catfish, or hito; 100,000 for bighead carp; and 5,000 fingerlings for silver perch, or ayungin] once aquaculture operations resume,” it added.
The DA also said the National Food Authority is ready to distribute 168,758 bags of rice for those affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.