Agri-fishery sector gets P8.5-B DA support

The agency will distribute more assistance to affected planters and fisherfolk once more funds become available

Following the series of typhoons that devasted the Philippine agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture ( DA) over the weekend disclosed it has disbursed over P8.5 billion worth of interventions to farmers and fisherfolk.

According to Agriculture Under secretary for Operations Ariel Cayanan, the interventions includes pre- and post- harvest materials and facilities to help sector workers rebuild their livelihood.

Of the total P 8.5- B assistance, the bulk was extended to farmers and fisherfolk in Cagayan Valley and Bicol Region, with P2.3 billion and P1.07 billion allocation, respectively.

Of the total DA assistance, Cayanan said the bulk was provided by the agency’s banner programs and Quick Response Fund (QRF).

He underscored that the agency will distribute more assistance to affected planters and fisherfolk once more funds become available.

To date, the total damage on the country’s agri-fishery sector due to the seven successive typhoons in October and November has reached P12.8 billion

The biggest impact in terms of production value was due to typhoons “Rolly,” “Ulysses” and “Quinta.”

Early warning

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary William Dar noted that the “damage could have been more massive had it not for the early DA advisories.”

Data from the DA showed that more than P32 billion worth of rice, corn, vegetables and fruit crops, and aquaculture species were saved.

For rice, some 1.94 million metric tons worth P30.1 billion from 445,376 hectares were spared, while corn farmers saved 161,824 MT amounting to P1.98 billion.