The damage caused by Typhoon Tisoy to the farm sector has climbed to P3.7 billion, affecting over 92,000 farmers in at least seven regions, according to the latest report of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center (OpCen) said Typhoon Tisoy damaged 132,166 hectares of rice, corn and high-value crops with production losses estimated at 195,046 metric tons (MT). The typhoon also affected livestock and fisheries subsectors, according to the DA-DRRM OpCen damage report issued on Monday afternoon. It attributed the increase in the damage estimates to the “updated reports from Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western Visayas, and additional reports from Ilocos region and Eastern Visayas.” The rice sector suffered the brunt of the typhoon’s damage, incurring losses amounting to P1.32 billion—with 77,683 hectares affected, with an estimated output of 104,928 MT. The corn sector’s production loss was estimated at 5,895 MT, worth P700.92 million, with 41,256 hectares affected. Despite the increase in losses, the DA-DRRM OpCen noted that the damage caused to the rice and corn subsectors is still minimal compared to their expected total output. “The damages and losses are only equivalent to 1 percent of the estimated total rice production by the end of 2019. Based on the monthly projection, this is only 9 percent losses to the projected December production,” it said. “While for corn, the estimated percentage loss on corn production was only 1.56 percent [of projected production],” it added. The typhoon’s damage to high-value crops was estimated at P1.55 billion with 13,227 hectares of farms affected (84,222 MT). About 245 livestock farmers rearing 144,505 heads of animals incurred losses of nearly P62 million, while 39 fisherfolk lost P2.18 million worth of production, according to the report. The DA-DRRM OpCen said the department has an available P250 million from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for rehabilitation. In addition, the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council has allocated P65 million under the Survival and Recovery Program for assistance; while the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. is now fast-tracking the release of indemnity to farmers and fisherfolk hit by the typhoon, the report added. “The affected regions have a total of 93,711 bags of rice seeds, 17,999 bags of corn seeds, 1,979 kgs of high-value crops seed reserves ready for distribution to affected farmers who are ready to replant,” the report read. “Moreover, in Region 5, 7,500 coconut seedlings from the Philippine Coconut Authority and 151,142 bags of [Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund] seeds for eligible RCEF beneficiaries from the Philippine Rice Research Institute  are also ready for distribution,” it added. The DA-DRRM OpCen said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 5 will provide relief goods, tilapia fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia (gill nets, bottom set long line, 30-feet fiberglass boat engine) for affected fisherfolks. “The concerned DA RFOs are still conducting field validation to give more accurate reports regarding the impact of Typhoon Tisoy,” it added. Source - https://businessmirror.com.ph