A preliminary damage assessment of crop, livestock, and farm property losses sustained during Super Typhoon Sinlaku has started, which could help affected farmers and ranchers receive compensation to help them recover from the storm.

The Guam Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced that its Agriculture Development Services Division has initiated the preliminary damage assessments.

Sen. Will Parkinson, in an April 22 letter, formally asked Agriculture Director Chelsa Muna about an estimate of funding needed to implement a post-Sinlaku crop loss compensation program.

“The law is clear that the Department of Agriculture must send its estimate to the Legislature within fifteen days, and I am urging that this be done as soon as possible so we can move relief without unnecessary delay,” Parkinson said in a statement.

Agriculture said the ongoing assessments are the first step toward processing compensation under Guam’s locally funded Crop Loss Compensation Program, subject to the appropriation of funds.

It said site visits to commercial farms are ongoing to determine the extent and variability of losses.

This comes three years after Parkinson authored a bill that became law, providing $2 million to Guam Agriculture for compensation to farmers for crop damage from Typhoon Mawar in May 2023.

“Our farmers are essential to the food security of this island. When storms wipe out crops, that is a blow to our local food supply, to our economic resilience, and to every family that depends on fresh produce grown here on Guam,” Parkinson said on Wednesday, as the island is still recovering from Sinlaku.

The Crop Loss Compensation Program provides financial assistance to eligible registered farmers and ranchers whose agricultural operations sustained losses due to natural disasters.

While compensation is not intended to cover the full cost of damages, it serves as critical recovery support to help producers rebuild and resume agricultural operations, as quickly as possible, Guam Agriculture said.

Compensation is based on documented expenditures supported by receipts for registered fruits, crops, livestock, including aquaculture, ornamentals, and other qualifying agricultural products.

Parkinson, meanwhile, said his concern is not only securing the necessary appropriation, but making sure the program is administered the right way.

What eligible farmers, ranchers should do now

While the formal application process will be announced once funds are appropriated, Guam Agriculture strongly encourages eligible farmers and ranchers to begin preparing the following:

• Loss inventory: A detailed list of all crop and livestock losses, including acreage or counts, limited to items registered with ADS on your most recent certification report, prior to the storm.
• Property damage records: Documentation of damaged or destroyed farm structures or equipment as a direct result of Sinlaku.
• Receipts for production-related expenditures: All receipts for inputs directly related to the lost crops or livestock such as seeds, fertilizer, feed, and materials.
• Photographic evidence: Clear photographs showing storm damage, with visible references to your identity and/or farm location.
• Valid Bona Fide Farmer Certification: Ensure your registration with ADS is current and not expired.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for compensation, farmers and ranchers must meet all of the following criteria, according to Guam Agriculture:

• Hold a valid (not expired) Bona Fide Farmer Certification with ADS as of April 13, 2026, when Guam was placed under Condition of Readiness 1, COR 1.
• Have all crops, livestock, and aquaculture properly registered with ADS prior to the storm.
• Be in full compliance with all Guam Agriculture registration and renewal requirements.

Lessons from Mawar

Parkinson, who is seeking reelection, said the lessons from Mawar in 2023 should now help Guam move more quickly.

“We already fought these battles last term. We appropriated the funding. We pressed the oversight. We helped clear the legal pathway for compensation up to $20,000 where the law and regulations allowed it,” he said on Wednesday.

The senator emphasized that prompt action is vital to getting agriculture back on its feet after a long-duration storm event.

“The faster we help farmers recover, the faster they can get crops back in the ground and fresh food back on families’ tables. That is what this is about. Supporting farmers is a direct investment in Guam’s food security and our ability to feed our people,” Parkinson added.

Source - https://www.guampdn.com