ReliefWeb

Typhoon Mangkhut (local name: Ompong) made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan, Northern Luzon early morning of Saturday (15 September) with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h near the centre and gusts up to 285 km/h. The typhoon has caused landslides, damage to buildings and homes, and intermittent loss of power. The areas affected by Typhoon Mangkhut were largely agricultural, and disruptions in agricultural production in the affected areas, including on staple food rice and corn, will negatively impact the food supply for the following months. Farmers and fisherfolk will need appropriate and immediate support to resume economic activities and rehabilitate small-scale agriculture infrastructure to minimize prolonged dependence on food aid.

IMPACTS TO AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS

• Initial reports from the Department of Agriculture (DA) indicate that at least 288 150 farmers and fisherfolk were directly affected by Typhoon Mangkhut. The DA estimates that Typhoon Mangkhut affected at least 636 908 hectares of agricultural areas, with damages and losses of at least USD314 million (Php16.8 billion) on rice, corn, high-value crops, root crops, livestock/poultry, fisheries, and infrastructure. Of this, rice contributed to the largest share of losses amounting to USD214 million (Php11.5 billion), followed by corn at USD84 million (Php4.5 billion). The fisheries sector suffered damages and losses of USD121 000 (Php6.94million). Assessment activities are underway in order to validate the full extent of damages.

• Majority of the affected population are dependent on farming and fishing for their major sources of livelihood. The impact of the typhoon led to missed harvest for farmers for the harvest season of September to October, as well as disruptions in fisheries operations, leading to foregone incomes and disruption in the food supply chain. It also caused damages to agricultural infrastructure, which are critical in agriculture production and fishing, post-harvest and storage. If not immediately addressed, this may lead to food insecurity and malnutrition, dependence on food aid and more financial difficulties as the affected farmers and fisherfolk try to recoup and recover from their losses, which may lead them to utilize further credit and financing facilities.

• It is critical that affected farmers and fisherfolk receive appropriate and timely emergency agricultural assistance, including rice and corn seeds for immediate planting for the November/December planting season, fertilizers for rice and corn, vegetable seeds, hand tools, as well as equipment for planting and harvesting, fingerlings, feeds, fishing gear and equipment to resume incomegenerating activities and minimize prolonged dependence on food aid. At the same time, early recovery assistance on rehabilitation of damaged small-scale agriculture infrastructure is needed in order to enable productive capacities and facilitate linkage of the farmers to markets/agribusiness value chain, restore income-generating activities for livelihoods and the food supply chain.