Agricultural damage from Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami) now stands at PHP3.40 billion, the Department of Agriculture reported. The damage to rice, high-value crops, and agricultural infrastructure reached PHP3.40 billion, equivalent to 174,087 metric tonnes of produce lost.
Of the 174,087 total volume loss, palay accounted for 94.5%. Other damaged crops include high-value crops (4.23%), corn (1.14%), cassava and fish (0.13%).
Rice suffered the greatest impact, mostly in the Bicol Region, with the DA estimating production losses at PHP3.10 billion and nearly four in ten hectares of affected palay totally damaged.
Following rice, high-value crops — mainly in Mimaropa — have incurred losses amounting to PHP161.44 million. Of the total affected land for these crops, 11.38% has been completely damaged.
Corn losses are valued at PHP43.34 million, with 12.47% of the affected land completely damaged, primarily in Cagayan Valley and Calabarzon.
Although only 58ha of cassava land were affected by the storm, 87.39% of this area is considered unsalvageable and can be found mostly in Eastern Visayas. The crop’s production loss amounts to PHP7.50 million.
The storm’s effects have also led to the loss of 3,009 livestock and poultry, valued at PHP4.35 million, mainly in the Ilocos Region and SOCCSKSARGEN.
In terms of fish catch, including tilapia, milkfish, shrimp, and crabs, the total loss is PHP11.20 million, with the majority having been incurred in Central Luzon.
The agricultural department also reported PHP69.36 million in damages to irrigation systems, including diversion dams, as well as farm structures like rain shelters, greenhouses and animal housing.
While heavy flooding affected 76,785 ha agricultural land, the DA said that around three-fifth of this area may still be salvaged. A total of 79,904 farmers across 11 regions have suffered from these losses.
These regions include the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga Region.
The DA also expects total damage brought by Kristine to rise beyond PHP3.40 billion as its regional field offices continue to assess and validate affected areas this week.
