Double Typhoon Pincer Attack Evening Report 0731 | Agricultural Losses 238.45 Million | Yilan and Pingtung Listed for Cash Assistance and Low-Interest Loans
With Typhoons Nesat and Haitang both striking Taiwan, the latest agricultural disaster statistics have been released. As of 5 p.m. today (31), the amount of damage has climbed from 176 million yuan to 238.45 million yuan; the area of crops damaged has also increased from 1,834 hectares to 3,623 hectares, with a damage level of 22%, equivalent to an unharvested area of 803 hectares; among these, "bananas" were hit the hardest, with a damaged area of 697 hectares and losses exceeding 37.43 million yuan; while scallions, guavas, pomelo, and space-bag shiitake mushrooms also had damaged areas of 195, 137, 249, and 4 hectares respectively.
Crop losses were mainly concentrated in Yilan County, while fishery and livestock losses were mainly concentrated in Pingtung County. Livestock losses were estimated at 12.13 million yuan; fishery products such as crimson snapper, green grouper, fourfinger threadfin, giant grouper, and barramundi were estimated to have losses of 15.96 million yuan. In addition, torrential rain in southern Taiwan destroyed fish ponds, and even caused power outages at fishery facilities; fishery facilities were estimated to have losses of 3.5 million yuan, and the losses were mainly concentrated in the aquaculture pond embankments of Pingtung County.
The Council of Agriculture pointed out that Yilan County suffered losses of 120.4 million yuan (accounting for 50%), Pingtung County suffered losses of 60.85 million yuan (accounting for 26%), Chiayi County suffered losses of 11.35 million yuan (accounting for 5%), Taitung County suffered losses of 9.49 million yuan (accounting for 4%), Yunlin County suffered losses of 8.57 million yuan (accounting for 4%), and Hualien County suffered losses of 8.01 million yuan (accounting for 3%).
Announcement that Yilan and Pingtung Counties may apply for cash assistance and low-interest loans
The two counties and cities with the most severe disaster losses this time were Yilan County and Pingtung County, with losses of 120.4 million yuan and 60.85 million yuan respectively; following yesterday's (30th) announcement by the Council of Agriculture that Yilan County was designated as an area eligible for cash assistance and low-interest loans, today it further announced that disaster-affected farmers in "Pingtung County" may apply for cash assistance and low-interest loans.
The Council of Agriculture announced yesterday (30th) that Yilan County was designated as an area eligible for cash assistance and low-interest loans for agricultural natural disasters, and affected farmers could submit applications to the township offices in the affected areas between July 31 and August 9; today it further announced that disaster-affected farmers in "Pingtung County" may apply for cash assistance and low-interest loans, with the application period from August 1 to August 10.
In addition to announcing areas eligible for cash assistance and low-interest loans, the Council of Agriculture also provides subsidies for domestically produced organic fertilizer at 12,000 yuan per hectare (2 yuan per kg, with a maximum subsidy of 6 metric tons per hectare); if there is a need for facility construction or reconstruction, applications may also be made for subsidies for greenhouse and screen house facilities, subsidizing 1/2 of the construction cost, with a maximum subsidy of 450,000 yuan to 5.5 million yuan per hectare.
The Council of Agriculture stated that technical units at agricultural research and extension stations across Taiwan have also launched technical service teams to assist farmers with technical guidance on facility restoration and reconstruction, field clearing, field disinfection and pest control, and fertilizer management.
