DA readies aid as farm damage from storms hits P135 million

National

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is ready to assist farmers after recent storms caused significant agricultural damage.

The agency reported that damage and losses from tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon have amounted to P135.5 million, damaging 4,516 hectares of farmland across five regions.

The Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas are among the badly hit areas where 6,010 farmers were affected, causing production losses estimated at 4,465 metric tons.

“This is a minor setback in our production plans. The fisheries sector has also been affected, but we have not quantified that yet,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told “Money Talks” on One News on Monday, Aug. 11.

In a Philstar report, Tiu Laurel said the DA has lined up P106.5 million worth of support for affected farmers, such as the distribution of fertilizers along with rice, corn and vegetable seeds.

The distribution of assistance will be conducted through DA’s regional field offices.

Medicines and animal feeds will also be given to livestock farmers.

Tiu Laurel said armers may also tap the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, which could provide affected producers with up to P25,000.

Farmers will also be provided interest-free working capital, repayable after three years, to support their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Insured producers will also receive indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., in coordination with the ACPC on credit assistance.(MyTVCebu)