THE Department of Agriculture (DA) reported damage and losses amounting to P333.4 million that affected 12,750 farmers and fishers, with volume of production loss at 19,640 metric tons and 23,198 hectares of agricultural areas.
Most affected were CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Central Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions. Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops and fisheries, but these values are subject to validation.
However, prior to the arrival of Typhoon Odette, a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons amounting to P615.53 million in terms of saved production.
For corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IV-A, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII with an equivalent production of 6,965 metric tons amounting to P82.55 million.
The DA is also conducting assessment of losses and damages in the agri-fisheries sector through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), and is continuously coordinating with concerned national government agencies, local government units and other Disaster Risk Reducion Management-related offices regarding the typhoon’s impact, including available resources for interventions and assistance.
The DA is also readying to provide available interventions, including at least P1.35-billion worth of readily-available assistance to farmers and fishers affected,