THE local agriculture sector has incurred more than P7.2 million losses in damage to various crops due to the flashfloods spawned by low pressure area (LPA) last week.

City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanches initially reported that P2.203 million worth of crops and vegetables were destroyed by the floods, but the figures soared to P7.2 million after final assessment, as of Monday, April 11, 2022.

Sanchez said that the high-value commercial crops (HVCC) were the hardest hit by floods, sustaining P6.7 million in total losses from 27-hectare farms in agricultural districts of Vitali and Ayala.

The damaged crops included eggplant, squash, string beans, ampalaya, tomato, pechay, mustard, okra, raddish, cucumber, cabbage, and bell pepper—all amounting to P5.9 million in Vitali District alone.

In Ayala District, P900,000 worth of cabbage and watermelon amounting to P787,500 were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Sanchez said that the damage to rice was recorded at P112,500 and P373,560 for corn planted in 12 hectares and 11 hectares, respectively. (SunStar Zamboanga)