DA: P316M in agriculture lost due to 'Egay'

The damage caused by Tropical Depression Egay (Haima) to local agriculture is estimated to be more than P316 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday. In an initial report, the DA said a consolidated data from Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, and Maguindanao as of June 21 showed that around P316.12 million in agriculture was damaged by Egay in Regions X, XI, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The department explained that the loss was mainly due to damaged crops (like rice, corn, high value crops) and lost or dead livestock and poultry amounting to P747,000. The DA said the total crop area affected by Egay is 17,864 hectares - 74 percent of 13,304 hectares of which reportedly has no chance of recovery. It said the affected rice area covers 11,584 hectares, which translates to a loss of 3,919 metric tons of palay worth P66 million. It added that 86 percent of the affected rice area is in seedbed and vegetative stage, giving an investment loss of around P126 million. On the other hand, the DA said the corn area affected covers 6,105 hectares, a production loss of 6,214 metric tons of corn valued at P81 million. It said that 69 percent of the affected corn area is in seedbed and vegetative stage, giving an investment loss of around P32 million. The DA said Maguindanao suffered the biggest loss - P277 million - since majority of the lost produce (3,723 metric tons of rice and 5,023 metric tons of corn) came from the province. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News