The damage to corn crops in the Philippines caused
by typhoon Pablo has increased to P3.04 billion (US$74.3 million), according to
area farmers, affecting 30,000 hectares and destroying 210,000 metric tons of
corn.
Philippine Maize Federation President Roger Navarro has asked for immediate
assistance from the government, saying that the industry needs as much as P3
billion (US$73.4 million) to start over. Navarro has also requested that the
government provide genetically modified seeds to farmers in affected areas for
quick turnaround planting to replace damaged crops. But agriculture officials
have said that such a thing could be too expensive.
"One of their recommendations is to make it 50–50,
meaning the farmer will shoulder half of the cost of [genetically modified]
seeds," said Navarro. "Whatever the government decides to do is okay with us as
long as they act immediately." In the meantime, the federation has asked the
National Dairy Authority to buy the damaged corn as an emergency purchase. "At
this stage, the corn cannot be accepted by corn traders and
feed millers," said Navarro. "However, it is very desirable to the dairy
industry for silage."
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