P2.3 B worth of agriculture, fisheries assets damaged by Glenda

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Glenda damaged P2.324 billion worth of agriculture and fisheries assets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported yesterday.

In a briefing at the DA head office in Quezon City, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the damage to the farm sector would not result in tight supply because farmers of high value crops such as vegetables were able to harvest their produce before the typhoon, adding that affected rice fields are still in the vegetative stage.

Most affected by the typhoon were the Calabarzon region, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Bicol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.

Initial reports showed the rice sector sustained the greatest damage at P512.7 million, equivalent to roughly 80,781 metric tons (MT). Of the estimated 43,536 hectares of affected rice lands, 23,437 hectares may still recover.

“The rainy season has just begun and farmers have only started cultivating the wet season crop so these are still in the vegetative stage with chances of recovery,” said Alcala.

Damage to high-value crops such as vegetables was placed at P481.15 million, covering 4,604 hectares, of which 1,254 hectares may still recover. – With Cet Dematera