Farm losses from Krosa top NT$2.67 billion

Chang made the instruction when inspecting the disaster area in the central Nantou County.

Local officials and representatives of farmers gave a report on the agricultural losses resulting from the latest attack from a strong typhoon.

Chang noted that the COA is responsible for offering assistance to the agricultural sector and he wanted to see that COA officials exercise the highest efficiency to get the job done and help affected farmers back on their feet.

The latest statistics released by the COA show the agricultural losses throughout Taiwan have increased to more than NT$2.67 billion based on tallies gathered as of yesterday.

COA Officials said that agricultural crop losses have reached NT$2.37 billion, with bananas, rice, persimmons, grapes, papayas and carambolas (star fruits) suffering the worst damage.

The financial losses in fishing production and facilities were estimated at NT$150 million, and damaged fish ponds at NT$1.16 million.

The losses in farm land and facilities were tallied at NT$135.95 million, forestry at NT$4.48 million.

Poultry facilities sustained losses of NT$2.52 million plus livestock and poultry losses of NT$1.75 million, mainly because of the deaths of 14,000 ducks, 4,000 chickens, and 75 goats recorded so far.

COA officials said that according to financial relief measures for the agricultural sector in times of natural disasters, farmers and fishermen in six counties are eligible for cash subsidies and low-interest loans.

They included Miaoli, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Nantou, and Tainan counties.

The areas that are eligible for low-interest loans included Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Pingtung, Taitung, and Yilan counties.

To meet post-typhoon market demand in the wake of the severe damage done to the agricultural crops during last weekend, the COA will start releasing vegetable stocks.

While vegetable and fruit wholesale markets around the island were not open yesterday, it was unclear how much of an impact agricultural losses will have on the market and the prices, COA said.

According to COA statistics, the stock of frozen vegetables maintained by major farmers’ organizations around the island now stands at 2,666 tons, including 1,823 tons of root and rhizome vegetables, and 756 tons of leafy vegetables.

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