Weather-related agri damage now at P307.7M vs previous estimate P67.7M 

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Damage sustained by the agriculture sector from weather disturbances has reached P307.72 million as of Jan. 22, a 354.7 percent surge from P67.68 million recorded as of Jan. 13, data released by the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center showed.

Assistant Agriculture Secretary Arnel de Mesa described the damage to be still “minimal.” 

However, he said the prepositioning of fertilizers and the use of quick response funds was bigger, he said.

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In its advisory as of 11 am Wednesday, the agency said the weather-related damage is equivalent to 2,818 metric tons (MT) of farm produce involving 33,325 hectares (ha) in affected areas tilled by 33,973 farmers.

The amount of damage is equivalent to P251.92 million in 29,144 ha planted to rice, while the volume of production loss totaled 2,148 MT.

Damage sustained by corn farmers amounted to P40.12 million in 4,046 ha, with a volume of production loss of 313 MT.

These areas were in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao and Soccsksargen. December 26, 2024 to January 22, 2025 have been affected.

The agency said that damage and losses in rice amounted to P251.92 million with affected area at 29,144 ha and volume of production loss at 2,148 MT while damage and losses for corn amounted to P40.12 million with affected area at 4,046 ha and volume of production loss at 313 MT.

The damage on high-value crops was reported at P10.77 million or 357 MT in affected areas totaling 136 ha.

Livestock and poultry were also affected to the tune of P4.89 million equivalent to a combined 2,939 heads of chicken, swine, cattle, carabao, goat, duck, horse and turkey.

Damage to infrastructure, machinery and equipment was estimated at P20,000. 

Regional offices in affected areas continue to monitor weather and field conditions to assess damage and losses brought by weather systems, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance, the agency said. 

Price monitoring on possible changes in prices of agricultural commodities are in place, it added.

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