Typhoon Odette damages agri sector by P11.5 billion

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the damage caused by Typhoon Odette to the agriculture sector has reached P11.5 billion.

Fisheries suffered the most significant losses at P3 billion, followed by rice with P2.6 billion, high-value crops like banana and cacao at P1.6 billion, and coconut at P1.5 billion.

The typhoon affected 405,921 farmers and fisherfolk, impacting 435,447 hectares of agricultural land and causing a production loss of 257,672 metric tons.

Losses were reported across CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Damages also extended to agricultural infrastructures, machinery, and equipment, including other crops like sugarcane and abaca, as well as livestock.

The DA was able to save rice and corn crops worth over P698 million ahead of the typhoon.

Financial assistance amounting to P828 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., P500 million from the Survival and Recovery Assistance Program, and P47 million from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will be provided to affected farmers.