Karding causes PHP2.02B agri damages, may raise rice prices

Super Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) caused PHP2.02 billion in agricultural damages across various regions of Luzon, affecting approximately 91,944 farmers and fisherfolk.

The typhoon damaged over 150,693 hectares of land with a total volume loss of 117,663 metric tons; among the affected commodities were rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries produce. Rice suffered the most severe impact at PHP1.66 billion, followed by high-value crops at PHP271.6 million.

Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban warned that prices for rice and vegetables could increase by up to 20% due to damage in Central Luzon.

As of Thursday morning, the price of well-milled rice was P40 per kilo and regular milled rice at P38 per kilo in Metro Manila markets; some vegetable prices had already increased, with pechay Baguio rising from P70 to P80 per kilo and white potatoes from P70 to P80.

The Department of Agriculture pledged to subsidize seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs for farmers heavily affected by Super Typhoon Karding, offering financial support through the Survival and Recovery Program worth PHP1 billion.