Damage to agri caused by Odette goes past P10 billion

Damage and losses to agriculture caused by Typhoon Odette have breached the P10 billion level as of Monday afternoon, data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed.

Latest data from the DA estimate the damages at P10.7 billion, up from the P9 billion recorded over the weekend, covering several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Broken down, the figures cover 163,760 farmers and fishers with the volume of production loss at 244,924 metric tons and 370,142 hectares of agricultural areas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

In terms of commodities, the fisheries sector incurred the most losses with P3.0 billion, followed by rice with P2.2 billion, coconut with P1.5 billion, high-value crops with P1.5 billion, sugarcane with P1.2 billion, and others with P1.3 billion.

The DA noted that some 11,454 hectares of rice were harvested prior to Odette, with an equivalent production of 34,433 metric tons worth P615.53 million, and 2,452 hectares of corn equivalent to 6,956 metric tons worth P82.55 million.

The Visayas and Mindanao regions have been severely hit by Odette which entered the country earlier this month. It left the Philippine Area of Responsibility  after causing “total devastation” in areas on its path. —NB, GMA News