The Department of Agriculture (DA) has mapped out strategies to recover from the losses caused by Super Typhoon Egay and enhanced southwest monsoon in significant rice production areas.

In a memorandum to DA regional executives in typhoon Egay-hit region, DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian told them “to exert extra effort to catch up with the ongoing rice cropping period to sustain our rice production”, citing instructions from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is the concurrent DA Secretary.

He said to secure food production in the country, the regional officials should ensure the replanting of short-duration rice varieties in feasible areas like those with good water sources and irrigation systems during October and November.

If needed, this should be well coordinated with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), he added.

In areas where replanting rice is not feasible, he said the distribution of vegetables and other crops ensures a source of livelihood for affected farmers.

Another strategy, he said, is the distribution of one-month-old chicken to areas unaffected by avian flu to create additional sources of income.

He said the affected regions can also avail of the Quick Response Fund (QRF).

The latest DA data showed the total damage and losses in the agricultural sector stand at PHP2.9 billion, affecting 163,722 farmers and fisherfolk with a total volume of production loss at 98,217 metric tons and 163,722 hectares of agricultural areas.

Rice crops took the heaviest toll with 92,179 hectares for a total volume of production loss of 33,063 metric tons worth PHP1.13 billion.

The typhoon damaged 69,669 hectares of farmlands for corn worth PHP998.2 million; high value crops, 1, 874 hectares worth PHP235.6 million; livestock and poultry for 8,998 heads worth PHP11.9 million; fisheries worth PHP175.4 million and irrigation facilities and farm structures worth PHP351.7 million. (PNA)