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Agricultural industry

Widespread Agricultural Damage in Pingtung County: Taiwani Farmers Face Financial Losses

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A week-long period of heavy rain has brought devastating agricultural losses to Pingtung County in Taiwan. According to reports from the Ministry of Agriculture, the total losses have been estimated at over NT$91 million (US$3.04 million) across 34 different crops. Pineapples were the hardest hit, with 125 hectares affected and losses estimated at NT$13.69 million. Bananas were the second most impacted crop, with 81 hectares damaged and NT$8.14 million in losses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry of Agriculture has activated its emergency response mechanism, notifying local governments to accept applications for agricultural natural disaster relief within 10 days of the event, according to Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin.
  • The specific scope of subsidies and eligible items has not yet been finalized, causing concern among farmers.
  • Democrat Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin urged the Cabinet to apply disaster relief measures similar to those used after typhoons, including aid for losses in livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and forestry sectors.
  • Kuo-mintang Legislator Su Ching-chuan attributed chronic flooding in Gaoshu Township to silted streams that can no longer properly drain floodwaters.
  • Legislator Su Ching-chuan advocated for damage assessments based on land area to simplify the relief process and reduce paperwork, as well as accelerated disbursement of funds to help farmers recover more quickly.
  • Pingtung County has seen ongoing landslides, agricultural losses, and road damage due to continued heavy rainfall, with Legislator Su Ching-chuan calling for the county to be included in the Cabinet's draft post-disaster reconstruction act following Typhoon Danas.

Statistics:

  • NT$91 million (US$3.04 million) in aggregate losses across 34 different crops (Source: CNA).
  • Pineapples: 125 hectares affected, NT$13.69 million in losses (Source: CNA).
  • Bananas: 81 hectares damaged, NT$8.14 million in losses (Source: CNA).

Sources:

  • CNA (no date).
  • Quotes from Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin and Kuo-mintang Legislator Su Ching-chuan in the article.

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