Business

P152-M: Agri losses from monsoon, ‘Gener’

Rappler.com
The impact on agriculture is crucial since the sector employs about a third of the work force and affects about 2/3 of the economy

MANILA, Philippines – Two consecutive weather disturbances — typhoon “Gener” (international codename Saola) and the ongoing southwest monsoon — have brought damage to agriculture at P152.13 million.

The rice sector reported the biggest loss of P131.49 million, according to the August 7 data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a statement Wednesday, August 8, the department said its assessment of damage in 20 of the 35 affected provinces showed the following:

  • Of the affected 25,958 hectares of crop lands, biggest estimated losses were from the rice sector (P131.49 million), followed by the corn sector (P7.74 million), high value crops (P10.62 million) and fisheries (P2.28 million).
  • Rice areas affected were 24,780 hectares in 18 provinces. Most of these are in the seedling/vegetative stage and with chance to recover. Cagayan suffered the biggest loss valued at P36 million, followed by Pampanga at P32 million, Bulacan at P26 million, and Bataan at P14 million.
  • Corn areas affected were 1,035 hectares in six provinces. The areas are mostly with chances of recovery. Deemed lost were 666 MT corn from the 574 hectares in reproductive stage. Most affected were the provinces of Cagayan and Kalinga. Only 20 hectares were completely damaged.
  • High value crops damages were reported in Benguet, La Union and Pangasinan. Estimated losses were some 733 MT of HVC valued at P10.62 million. Of the affected areas of 143 hectares, only 1 hectare was with no chance to recover.
  • Effect on fisheries was reported in Pangasinan and Cagayan due to damaged fishponds and fish cages with value of loss placed at P2.28 million.

“Gener” battered 35 provinces in Luzon and Visayas for days, bringing heavy rain and floods in major agricultural areas in Luzon. It left 45 people dead.

According to the assessment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on August 5, Gener’s damage to these 35 provinces reached P339.81 million, broken down as follows:

  • infrastructure – P111.56 million
  • private properties – P500,000
  • agriculture lands – P222.75 million

Meantime, the damage caused by the ongoing southwest monsoon rain, which inundated over 50% of Metro Manila on August 7, is still being assessed.

Agriculture Undersecretary Dante Delima said the floods have kept them from going to the affected areas to determine damages.

Damages to agriculture

Typhoons’ impact on agriculture is crucial since the sector has a lot of ripple effects. For one, it employs about a third of the national work force.

For another, it affects general consumer spending, which is equivalent to two-thirds of the Philippine economy.

The government expects to post a 5% to 6% growth this 2012 after a sluggish 3.7% in 2011. The performance of the agriculture sector will help determine that. – Rappler.com


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