The Department of Agriculture reported that the damage to agriculture caused by typhoon "Odette" has already reached P12.7 billion based on the latest assessment.
In a statement, the DA's Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operation Center, said the damage covers vast agricultural lands in the Visayas, five regions in Mindanao and three regions in Luzon.
A total of 396,585 farmers and fishermen were also affected, with a volume of production loss at 267,809 metric tons (MT) in 443,419 hectares of agricultural areas.
The affected products include rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, and fisheries. Several agricultural infrastructures, machinery, and equipment were also damaged.
To help farmers and fishers devastated by Odette, the department has allocated at least P2.9 billion of assistance and P1 billion worth of Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.