Tropical Storm Ramil has caused an initial P12.41 million in damage to the agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Wednesday, citing its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
The losses cover 579 hectares of farmland and affect 634 farmers, with an estimated production loss of 292 metric tons (MT). Of the affected areas, 98.49 oercent, or 570 hectares, still have a chance of recovery, while the remaining 1.51 percent (9 ha) are deemed total losses.
Rice accounted for the bulk of the damage at P12.19 million, affecting 574 hectares with a production loss of 289 MT. High-value crops such as lowland vegetables and banana sustained P220,730 in losses, while poultry losses were pegged at P1,500.
Damage assessments came from the regions of Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas, and are still subject to validation.
The DA said it has P175.28 million worth of rice and vegetable seeds on standby, alongside P4 billion worth of veterinary supplies and food relief from the National Food Authority. Affected farmers may also avail of insurance indemnities from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. and zero-interest loans of up to P25,000 under the DA’s Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program.
