Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured the public that the country’s rice supply will remain stable despite the massive devastation brought by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) across Visayas and Mindanao. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that initial assessments showed no significant damage to the rice sector in the affected regions.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel explained that the harvest was nearly complete in major rice-producing provinces, and most affected regions are not significant rice producers. He noted that farmers in Iloilo, one of the country’s top rice-producing provinces, had already completed most of their palay (unhusked rice) harvest before the typhoon struck.

However, Tiu Laurel cautioned about possible significant losses in corn production as Typhoon Tino traversed Visayas and Palawan. He reported that approximately 33,000 hectares of cornfields were impacted by Tino, which could pose challenges for the corn supply.

As of October 31, data from the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center indicated that a total of 470,923 hectares of standing crops might be affected by the adverse weather. Of this total, 351,437 hectares are dedicated to rice, while 119,486 hectares are planted with corn.

Regarding corn, over 51 percent, or 60,949 hectares, are in the seedling and vegetative stages; 21 percent, or 25,517 hectares, are in the reproductive stage; and 27 percent, or 33,020 hectares, are in the maturity stage. The DA-DRRM Operations Center continues to validate agricultural damage reports in collaboration with regional and local field offices in the affected areas.