The damage to the agriculture sector by Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai) has risen to P362.3 million with at least 12,906 farmers incurring losses due to the weather disturbance, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the latest damage report released by the DA on Monday early evening, production losses have reached 20,319 metric tons (MT) across 23,438 hectares of farms nationwide.
“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops and fisheries. These values are subject to validation. Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” DA said.
An initial report issued by the DA on Sunday morning estimated the damage at P127 million.
The DA has not released the full details of the latest damage report as of this writing.
But an earlier report released on Monday afternoon showed that the rice sector suffered the brunt of the typhoon, as it accounted for a chunk of the estimated losses. DA said rice farmers lost 14,621 MT valued at P257.2 million.
The typhoon also destroyed 4,931 MT of corn valued at P69 million.
The high value crops (HVC) sector incurred losses of P4.6 million as 140 hectares planted with assorted vegetables and fruit trees were struck by the typhoon.
About 290 fisherfolk incurred losses amounting to P2.5 million as the typhoon damaged produce, boats, gears, fishnets and gillnets.
“Prior to Odette, a total area of 11,454 hectares [has] of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13 with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53M,” the DA said.
“As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region 4A, Mimaropa, 8, 9, 11, and 13 with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to P82.55 million,” it added.
The DA earlier said the combined data of Regions 4A to 12 showed that Odette may affect 601,088 hectares of rice farms and 265,480 hectares of corn fields.
“In rice, the combined area under seedling and vegetative stages is at 170,090 has [29.03 percent], while the area under reproductive stage is at 173,150 has [29.56 percent]. The area under maturity contributes to the remaining 242,574 has [41.41 percent],” it said.
“As for corn, the area of crops under the seedling and vegetative stage is at 139,308 ha [52.47 percent], while the area under reproductive stage is at 73,348 has [27.63 percent]. Those under maturity contribute to the remaining 52,829 has [19.90 percent].”
The DA said it is ready to roll out P1.35 billion worth of interventions in areas struck by Odette. The interventions include the P1-billion quick response funds to rehabilitate affected areas and P148 million worth of rice seeds. The DA added that it would distribute corn seeds and vegetable seeds worth P57.6 million and P44.6 million, respectively.
Affected farmers and fishers could also avail of zero interest loans from the government through the P100-million Survival and Recovery Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. The DA assured insured farmers that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. has available funds to indemnify them.