Typhoon Odette’s damage to the country’s agriculture sector is now nearing P12 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday morning, Jan. 10.
Based on the data released by DA’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operation Center, the damage and losses caused by the typhoon have already reached P11.7 billion, with the Visayas and Mindanao as the most affected.
A total of 411,038 farmers and fishermen were affected, with a volume of production loss at 267,369 metric tons (MT) involving 442,674 hectares of agricultural areas.
Huge losses were reported on the production of rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, sugarcane, abaca, livestock, fisheries.
The typhoon also wrecked agricultural infrastructures, machinery, and equipment.
“Additional damage and losses are expected in areas affected by Odette,” the statement said.
The department has allocated at least P2.9-billion of assistance to farmers and fishers victimized by the typhoon.