CROP DAMAGE caused by Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) has nearly doubled to P2.11 billion as of Sunday, from the prior estimate of P1.17 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In a bulletin early Sunday, the DA said the storm resulted in the loss of 93,219 metric tons (MT) of farm produce across 58,320 hectares, affecting 62,533 farmers.

Losses were reported in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos, the  Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon), and Bicol.

“The increase in value is attributed to updated reports from CAR, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Bicol Region,” the DA said in the bulletin.

Subsectors that reported losses include rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries, and livestock.

Rice accounted for 42.3% of total damage, followed by fisheries at 27.8%, high-value crops 24.4%, and other agricultural commodities and equipment 5.5%.

Damage to rice was valued at P890 million. Some 63,805 MT of the crop was lost across 37,360 hectares.

Aquaculture fisheries losses amounted to P585 million, with lost production reported in fin fish, milkfish (bangus), catfish (hito), and tilapia.

Damage to high-value crops was reckoned at P513 million, affecting 7,845 hectare. Losses in volume terms amounted to 24,588 MT.

Other subsectors reporting losses include corn at P109 million, livestock P8.6 million, marine fisheries P3 million, and agricultural facilities P584,000.

The DA said damage estimates after Typhoon Ulysses are set to increase as regional offices report further. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR