Kalinga incurs P7.2 million crop damages

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The province incurred a total of P9 million in crop damages brought about by the onslaught of typhoon Mina.

Most of damages were reported on maturing corn at P7.2 million and P1.8 on rice under vegetative growth.

Provincial Agriculturist Gerry Jose disclosed their report was already submitted to the provincial government and the Cordillera regional field unit of the Department of Agriculture for proper action.

He said farmers affected may not worry on next cropping since the Department of Agriculture provides seeds subsidy. “Certified seeds are ready for distribution for those in need and are given free to those heavily affected and 50% subsidy to partially damaged,” Jose said.

He said the department through its partner seed growers has buffer stocks in times of calamities. “This is the scheme developed to immediately assist farmers affected by calamities. Subsidies in terms of seeds are on standby for distribution to farmers to cope from their losses,” Jose said.

He said that recipients will be based on the master list prepared by local government unit technicians at one bag per hectare and 25 kilos to half-hectare farming lands.

The amount of P1.9 million is appropriated in the regional budget of the DA-CAR as calamity funds. Seeds are taken from private seed growers and distributed to affected farmers and later paid by the department, Jose informed.

Based on reports gathered from respective municipal agriculturists, Rizal has the highest in reported damages on rice valued at P1.6 million while Tanudan’s damages on corn is estimated at P2.6 million.

He explained that damages on agriculture infrastructure like irrigation is the concern of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the local government units on farm-to-market roads.