CLOSE to P6 billion worth of crops and other agricultural products were damaged in the Cordillera due to Typhoon Ompong in September, according to the Department of Agriculture.
DA Regional Director Cameron Odsey, in a radio interview, said a Quick Reaction Fund has been set up by the government to finance the distribution of seedlings and fertilizer to farmers who suffered losses.
"The estimated damage to agriculture in CAR was at P6 billion which includes damage +to crops, corn and rice plantations, vegetable produce which were supposed to be ready for harvest but was greatly affected by Ompong. Small portions of poultry and livestock and agricultural facilities like irrigation were also damaged," Odsey said.
"Our program now is the implementation of the Quick Reaction Fund amounting to P130 million which was initially released to those greatly affected by typhoon and which will be used for the planting of seeds in the farms particularly on corn produce which account for 50 percent of the total agricultural damage that the region incurred from Ompong," Odsey added.
Among the areas affected by the recent typhoon were Ifugao, Kalinga and parts of Mountain Province. These areas traditionally produce a high yield of corn.
"Farmers who will avail of the QRF need to go to the local Municipal Agriculturist which are our partners in the municipalities and barangays who will validate those areas and who will estimate the damages for them to be prioritized," Odsey said.
On possible loans to be accessed by the affected farmers, Odsey said the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) may provide for their need to access loans once validated and assessed by the council.
"There is a program of the ACPC which provides for easy loans to our affected farmer organizations which will be assessed by ACPC's staff in the provinces for them to be able to access fund loans which are to be used in the acquisition of farm seedlings," Odsey added.
