The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Taal Volcano’s eruption last week killed over 55,000 farm animals, including cows, horses and pigs valued at over P3 billion.
In its latest bulletin issued late Saturday, the DA said total agricultural damage and losses caused by Taal Volcano’s activities has climbed to P3.17 billion, 3.6 percent over the previous estimate of P3.06 billion.
“The volcanic eruption and ashfall affected 15,790 hectares of farmlands, and caused the death of 55,881 head of various farm animals,” the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA-DRRM OpCen) said in the report.
“The large increase in animal deaths was due to the additional reports from validated areas in Batangas and Cavite,” it added.
The DA said cattle, carabaos, swine, chicken, horses and goats were killed by Taal Volcano’s activity that started on January 12 afternoon.
As of January 18, fisheries bore the brunt of Taal Volcano’s wrath as it accounted for half of the losses recorded by the DA-DRRM OpCen, or P1.6 billion, involving 6,000 fish cages.
Damage to the pineapple industry in Calabarzon reached P527.25 million, affecting 862 hectares of plantation with an estimated output of 21,079 metric tons (MT).
More than 4,300 hectares of coffee farms were also damaged in the past week which had an estimated production volume of 8,240 MT worth P360.5 million.
The DA has been providing interventions since January 12 to help farmers recover the losses they incurred after Taal Volcano erupted.
The DA said the Philippine Crop Insurance Co. (PCIC) will indemnify insured farmers and fisherfolk in Batangas and Cavite for about P108 million.
The DA said its regional field office in Calabarzon has provided P130 million worth of interventions in the form of farm equipment, seeds, planting materials, fingerlings, storage drums and power sprayers in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.
“DA Taal Livestock Care Emergency Operations Center was launched at STIARC Lipa City, that will serve as temporary shelter for rescued livestock animals,” it said.
“Vegetable Farmers’ and Traders’ Associations in La Trinidad, Benguet, through DA-CAR, delivered 6 tons of assorted vegetables in Batangas evacuation centers. DA-CAR will also donate 120 cavans of rice,” it added.
The DA said once aquaculture operation resumes in the region the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will provide fisherfolk with millions of fingerlings: 7 million for tilapia, 20,000 freshwater shrimps, 50,000 hito, 100,000 bighead carps and 5,000 ayungin.
“DA-Bureau of Animal Industry sent two trucks for animal rescue and evacuation, and delivered 20 bags of feeds. DA-Bureau of Plant Industry will distribute 5,000 coffee mother plants and 1,000 cacao seedlings,” it said.
The DA added that the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has allotted P1.9 million to help affected coconut farmers by providing them with 150,000 seedlings and agricultural grade salt fertilizers.
The DA encouraged farmers to avail of the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council’s (ACPC) P25,000 zero-interest loan payable in three years to help them restart planting once the situation normalizes.
The ACPC has allocated an initial P30 million for the emergency loan portfolio that is estimated to benefit about 1,200 Taal Volcano-affected farmers and fisherfolk.