Typhoon Odette's damage to the agriculture sector now stood at P8 billion as it wiped out 171,222 metric tons (MT) of agricultural produce and destroyed 341,280 hectares of agricultural areas.

In 2020, the most destructive typhoon for the agriculture sector was Typhoon Ulysses, incurring damage and losses of nearly P13 billion to the farm sector alone.

Based on its latest data, the DA Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operation Center already took into account as many as 113,479 farmers and fishermen who were affected by Odette, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Damage and losses have been reported in regions CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, sugarcane, livestock, and fisheries, while damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machinery, and equipment.

Prior to Odette, a total area of 11,454 hectares of rice have been harvested from Regions Mimaropa, VI, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII, with an equivalent production of 34,433 MT amounting to P615.53 million.

As for corn, a total of 2,452 hectares have been harvested from Region IV-A, Mimaropa, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII, with an equivalent production of 6,965 MT amounting to P82.55 million.

The DA is now readying assistance and interventions worth nearly P3 billion, DA-DRRM said.