DA

‘Karding’ agri damage reaches P2B

October 1, 2022 Cory Martinez 314 views

DA to provide aid, loans to affected farmers, fishers

THE Super Typhoon Karding, which hit several regions in the country last Sunday (Sept. 25, 2022), has already damaged more than P2.02 billion in agricultural products and farmlands.

In its Bulletin No. 7 on STY “Karding”, the Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed that the damage and losses were reported in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

The DA said that 150,693 hectares of farmlands were damaged, affecting some 91,944 farmers and fisher folk, with a combined production loss of 117,663 metric tons (MT).

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries. These values are subject to validation.

The DA claimed that the increase in overall damage and losses is due to additional reports on rice, corn, livestock and poultry, and fisheries in CAR Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

However, the DA, through its Regional Field Offices (RFOs), is still assessing damage and losses brought by “Karding” in the agri-fisheries sector.

To help the affected farmers, the DA has distributed P170.34M worth of rice seeds, P23.16M worth of corn seeds and P13.55M worth of assorted vegetable seeds; and P2.45M worth of animal heads, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry.

On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has distributed fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia to affected fisherfolk.

Other assistance includes the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with a loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest; and P500 million worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

Mobile Kadiwa centers, meanwhile, will be deployed in areas affected by “Karding” to stabilize prices and supply of agro-fishery commodities.

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