Typhoon inflicts $2.8 million in agricultural damage in Cagayan region, Philippines

In the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) reported that Typhoon Paolo (international name Matmo) caused 162.73 million Philippine pesos (2.80 million U.S. dollars) in agricultural damages across the Cagayan Valley region, affecting around 3,890 farmers.

The typhoon damaged 5,181 hectares of farmland and resulted in the loss of 9,039 metric tons of produce. High-value crops such as vegetables and bananas suffered the greatest losses, estimated at 85.16 million pesos (1.46 million dollars) or 1,710 metric tons. Corn damage reached 11.18 million pesos (192,000 dollars) or 1,082 metric tons.

To assist recovery, the DA plans a broad package of interventions, including 766.42 million pesos (13.19 million dollars) worth of agricultural inputs, zero-interest loans of up to 25,000 pesos per farmer (repayable over three years), 237 million pesos (4.08 million dollars) in insurance payouts through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Damage validation and field assessments remain ongoing to confirm the full extent of losses.

source: pna.gov.ph

photo: zh.diskurso.ph