THE recent onslaught of Tropical Depression Agaton caused almost P2.3 million worth of damage to agro-fishery sector of Negros Occidental, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported.
Fifty four rice farmers in five barangays of Cadiz City incurred P696,160 worth of production losses. The affected area is almost 49 hectares, the OPA reported.
Also, 17 high-value commercial crops farmers from three barangays were affected by “Agaton.”
With affected area of about one hectare, mostly for vegetables, the farmers incurred P168,360 worth of production losses.
All in all, the initial damage to the province's crop sector was valued at P864,520.
OPA further reported that "Agaton" also left P1.42 million worth of damage to the fishery sector.
The figure covers 144 affected fisherfolk and one association in five local government units (LGUs).
Five units of fish cages and dikes owned by seven fishermen were damaged in Escalante City. The production losses was estimated at P130,000.
In Manapla town, 17 fisherfolk incurred losses worth P 118,000 after their 19 units of motorized banca were damaged. Another two units worth P70,000 were damaged in Sipalay City.
OPA reported that in Cadiz City, 77 panels of fishing gears owned by seven fisherfolk were damaged with cost amounting to P35,300.
In E.B. Magalona, 58 units of "tangkop" or fish corals were destroyed. The affected 50 fisherfolk incurred P680,000 in damage.
In the same town, 627 units of fishing gears owned by 68 fishermen were also affected. The cost of damage was estimated at P345,125.
One association, meanwhile, incurred P45,000 in losses after their oyster culture project was affected by the typhoon.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said field assessment and validation in the said areas affected and other LGUs are ongoing.
Farmers enrolled under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance will be assessed to receive corresponding indemnity claims, he added.