Kristine agri damage increases to P5.75 B

The amount of damage to agriculture caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has increased to P5.75 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.

- By ROMINA CABRERA

The DA said Kristine displaced up to 131,661 farmers and fisherfolk, and destroyed over 100,000 hectares of farmlands.

Of the damaged farmlands, 38,466 hectares have no chance of recovery, the DA said.

Among crops, rice incurred the most losses amounting to P4.25 billion or 516,438 tons.

Up to P847 million worth of high-value crops, including spices, legumes and fruits, were wasted due to Kristine.

Corn and cassava incurred P72.15 million and P38.89 million in losses, respectively.

The fishery sector incurred P446.22 million worth of damage.

The DA said it would provide P541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs to address the damage caused by Kristine.

Another P500 million was allocated for the survival and recovery loan program, which would lend farmers up to P25,000 payable in three years without interest.

60,367 families still in evacuation centers