Some P4 million worth of corn in was destroyed by a tornado, the four Apayao towns, the Agriculture Department reported.

“This is the first time we experienced a baby tornado… bringing strong winds that flattened corn plants which were due for harvest in June,” said Robert Domoguen, public information officer of the Cordillera office of the Agriculture Department.

Regional corn coordinator Pansy Piludin said 1,045.25 hectares of a hybrid corn plantation in the towns of Luna, Pudtol, Sta. Marcela and Flora were damaged by the tornado that hit the province in April 8. Some 22.5 hectares of the crop can no longer be salvaged, she added.

In Pudtol, 631 corn farmers lost their livelihood due to the Tornado, which damaged 330 hectares in the town.

Luna town reported damage of 343 hectares; Sta. Marcela, 314 hectares; and Flora, 58.25 hectares.

Piludin’s report put total damage at P4.65 million worth of hybrid yellow corn, resulting in the loss of liveliood for 976 farmers.

Domoguen said the department is looking at seed subsidy assistance and crop insurance intervention for the affected farmers.

Source - http://www.mb.com.ph/