Manila: The agriculture department reported massive damage to the farming sector as a result of typhoon Mangkhut with half a million of hectares of farmland devastated.

“As of today, damages and losses to the agriculture sector caused by Typhoon Ompong [Mangkhut’s Philippine name] increased to P14.27 billion [Dh953.7 million] affecting a total of 553,704 hectares of agricultural areas with an estimated volume of production loss at 731,294 metric tons,” Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol said.

Mangkhut swept through Northern Philippines on Saturday, slamming the country with high winds with speeds in excess of 170km/h as well as heavy rainfall. Numerous landslides were reported killing of dozens, particularly in the highland areas. But another serious concern is the strong weather disturbance had caused a dent in the affected regions’ food security.

Northern Luzon is regarded as the main northern island’s “vegetable basket” and its rice granaries are a major source of the staple food for surrounding regions.

When the typhoon slammed into the country, rice and vegetables were nearing harvest season.

“Most of the affected rice crops were reported to be partially damaged and were on reproductive stage affecting a total of 212,491 farmers. Provinces heavily affected include Nueva Ecija in Region III amounting to P2.84 billion, followed by Cagayan Region with P2.77 billion. On the other hand, there is a vast increase in the production losses reported in corn, which is attributed to the reports from Cordillera Autonomous Region and Cagayan,” Pinol said.

The concern over crop loss comes at a time when the country is feeling a pinch caused by inflation, which in August reached 6.7 per cent after breaking the 5 per cent level in June and July.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that due to the damage caused by Mangkhut in the agriculture sector, the country may have to import more grain commodities.

“We can’t deny that P14.27 billion was a very high cost to agriculture. However, we now have a policy shift, we have to allow the entry of import of food products, which we hope will bring down the cost of goods,” Roque said.

The government previously barred the entry of agricultural products, which the country can produce itself in abundance, such as rice, for certain regions.

“We’re also hoping that open importation of these food products will also offset whatever shortage or lower supply may result as a result of Ompong. In other words, we hope to compensate the loss because of Ompong through importation,” Roque said.

“We’re hoping that inflation will not worsen the cost of institutional steps already taken by the government to help rein-in inflation,” he added.

Lt Col Louie Villanueva, Army Spokesperson said that officially, the number of fatalities from Mangkhut had been placed at 39 with 65 missing.

Most of the dead and missing were due to the landslide at an abandoned mining barracks in the village of Ucab, Itogon, Benguet.