Tropical Cyclone “Tino” has left a trail of devastation in the country’s farmlands, causing P83.78 million in damage and affecting 4,263 farmers across MIMAROPA, Western and Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. 

In an advisory on Friday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that losses span rice, corn, high-value crops, cassava, livestock and poultry, as well as agricultural infrastructure and machinery, with a production loss estimated at 4,729 metric tons and 2,842 hectares of farmland impacted. 

“These values are subject to validation,” the agency noted.

Central Visayas also sustained damage, with 225.25 hectares of rice and corn in Bohol and 4.25 hectares of rice in Cebu affected, although the full report is still pending.

To support farmers and fisherfolk, the DA said it is deploying P216.39 million in farm inputs, P1.12 million in animal feeds, P841,600 worth of fingerlings, and 2.6 million bags of rice from the National Food Authority for relief efforts. 

Other interventions include the Quick Response Fund for rehabilitation, loans up to P25,000 under the Survival and Recovery Program at zero interest, and insurance indemnification for affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.