Agri losses estimated at P78 million

MANILA, Philippines - The weather outlook for the agriculture sector in the next few months appears to indicate more rains that may cause flooding, flashfloods and landslides, all of which could adversely impact agriculture growth for the rest of the year, according to the Department of Agriculture Central Action Center (DACAC).

Losses to the agriculture sector due to Typhoon Kiko has been placed at P78 million, the DACAC reported to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

The DACAC monitors the weather and other issues effecting agriculture and fisheries.

In a situationer report, the DACAC said that five provinces were affected – namely Pampanga, Zambales (Region III), Laguna, Quezon and Rizal (Region III).

The report said that a total of 6,945 hectares of rice plantations which were mostly in the seedling and vegetative stage (6,128 has) were affected. About 1,485 metric tons (MT) of palay were lost. The value of lost investments/inputs for destroyed crops is estimated at P 69 million. It is expected that about 2,606 hectares will be able to recover while 4,339 hectares will not.

Some corn fields from Region III covering 83 hectares were affected resulting in a loss of 315 MT with a value of P4 million.

A total of 80 hectares of high value commercial crops (HVCCs) were affected resulting in a loss of 718 MT of vegetables valued at P2.5 million in the provinces of Zambales, Laguna and Quezon.

Losses to livestock amounted to P2.3 million due to death/loss of cattle, carabao, swine, goat and poultry in Zambales.

Last Friday, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported that the agriculture sector managed to post out a 1.53 percent growth in the first half of this year.

For the whole of 2009, the DA had projected a full year growth of three percent.

However, with the minimal 1.53percent growth in the first half of the year, the agriculture sector must post a growth of 4.5percent to achieve the full year growth target of three per cent.