Based on initial findings of the Department of Agriculture, Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) inflicted P2.324 billion (US$53.3 million*) in damages to crops and fisheries, with Bicol and Quezon most affected.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a press conference on Thursday, July 17, that rice suffered the most damage among crops at P512.7 million ($11.8 million). This is equivalent to 80,781 metric tons of palay. But of the total 43,536 hectares damaged, more than half or 23,437 hectares, may recover.
The second most damaged crop are high-value crops such as vegetables with losses amounting to P481.15 million ($9.6 million). Of the affected 4,604 hectares, 1,254 hectares may yet recover.
Initial data showed corn was also heavily affected, with damage to the crop pegged at P391.65 million ($9 million).
Damage to livestock reached P500,000 ($11,500) while damage to agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation canals, post-harvest facilities, and fisheries infrastructure amounted to P123.2 million ($2.8 million). The typhoon destroyed many fish cages in Laguna de Bay, Taal in Batangas, and Rizal.
As for fisheries, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported P810 million ($18.6) in total damages due to Glenda.
Coconut, one of the country's top agricultural exports, suffered P4.61 million ($106,000) in damage. This is equivalent to more than 4,300 hectares of coconuts mostly in Quezon.
The report covered 15 provinces and 4 regions including Quezon, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Bicol in Luzon and Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar in Visayas.
Prior to Alcala's news conference, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) pegged typhoon damage to the agricultural sector at an initial P668,233,477.94 covering only Region V for rice, corn, high value crops, and livestock.
Effect on supply and prices
Based on the initial findings, it doesn't look like the damage will significantly affect the country's food supply, said Alcala.
"Every time we are hit by a storm, this is the time when we have buffer stocking. We have buffer stock in every region. After 5 to 7 days, the farmers will get back to their livelihood. By that time, we must be sure to have substitute crops to distribute to them if they were really hit," he told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English.
He also said that most of the farmers only started planting because the rainy season began just recently. This means most of the affected crops are in their vegetative stage and are still likely to survive.
If a farmer's palay or corn crop will not recover, the department will automatically distribute certified seeds to them for free. Municipal agriculturists and regional field officers already started yesterday, July 16, to validate the farmers affected.
The agency needs the certification of the municipal agriculturists before they can supply substitute seedlings to farmers.
Alcala also said that the agency will ask help from other less affected regions to boost supplies.
"Camarines Norte was not affected as badly. So we are asking the traders there if they can augment what Quezon cannot supply," he said.
In fact, the typhoon may have been good for the agricultural sector in Northern Luzon since rains brought much-needed water to crops, said Alcala.
The department will also assist provinces like Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet that need help in transporting their crops to Metro Manila.
Source - http://www.rappler.com/
