DA: Coffee Farms Most Affected By Taal Ashfall, Among Others
DA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently said that coffee farms was affected by the ashfall coming out from the Taal Volcano.
The agriculture department elaborated in their initial assessment that the ashfall from the Taal Volcano has affected 752 hectares of agricultural land in Cuence, Lemery and Taal in Batangas.
According to a report from PhilStar, the department cited reports from the Calabarzon regional field office that about ₱73.96 million out of ₱74.55 million worth of crop damage, which is 99% percent, is to coffee.
An Agriculture Monthly report shows that Batangas produces 13% of the coffee supply in the Calabarzon region, albeit the region only accounts for the 7% of the country’s coffee production of about 35,000 metric tons annually, where the 77% of Philippine coffee is from Mindanao.
The agricultural department added that the ashfall also affected 102 animal head and is expected to also damage about 6,000 fish cages on the lake and affect stocks of tawilis and tilapia.
“Production loss is estimated at 15,033 metric tons since fishkill is expected in Taal Lake due to high sulfur content brought by the volcanic eruption, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,”
As per the report, the department, however, ensured the public that the rice supply is enough for the needs of affected areas, with more than 4 million bags accounted to relief agencies for distribution to evacuees.
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