‘FABIAN’ AGRI DAMAGE HITS P 615M

The value of agricultural damage and losses caused by Typhoon “Fabian” has climbed to P615.72 million, the Department of Agriculture reported on Thursday.

The typhoon, internationally known as “In-fa,” left 24,596 farmers, fishers and livestock raisers with production losses in the regions of Cordillera, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas.

It destroyed 30,916 hectares of agricultural areas, with an estimated production loss of 9,777 metric tons.

The biggest losses were incurred by the rice sector, comprising 92 percent of the total damage. The rest were sustained by rice farmers, high-value crops planters, fishers and livestock raisers.

Nearly P10 million worth of agricultural facilities were also destroyed.

The volume of fish unloaded in the country’s ports was cut down in half due to the persistent rains.