Damage to the agriculture sector arising from the impact of a weather phenomenon known as a shear line has reached P202.89 million, according to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
A shear line is a narrow zone where cold and hot air meet, resulting in thunderstorms.
The DA in an advisory released Wednesday said the damage from the weather phenomenon tantamount to 7,521 metric tons (MT) of goods tended by 8,322 farmers in 8,446 hectares of ruined areas.
The agency said losses in rice crops impacting 8,278 hectares and the loss of 7,034 metric tons amount to P189.8 million. High value crop losses amount to P8.44 million in 91 hectares of productive land and 388 MT ruined.
Corn damage was estimated at P2.15 million, livestock and poultry at P2.18 million, cassava at P128,860 and irrigation infrastructure at P200,000.
The DA said the ruined areas were in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Bicol whose farmers and fishers were extended P29.30 million worth of rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds as well as P211,500 worth of native chicken as short-term relief.
The DA also announced a P50-million Survival and Recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council where one borrows up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest.
