Cold has caused NT$699 million in agricultural losses

The twin impact of cold weather and continued rain since the middle of last month are estimated to have caused NT$699 million worth of damage in the agricultural sector, the Council of Agriculture said in a statement yesterday.

As of 3pm of yesterday, the cold temperature has delivered a significant blow to farmlands in Ilan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou counties, with farm losses rising to NT$693.3 million and fishery losses to NT$5.7 million, according to statistics compiled by the council.

Miaoli County reported the most farm damage with NT$231.5 million, followed by Nantou County with NT$212.7 million and Taichung County with NT$167.5 million, the council added.

After visiting farms in Miaoli and Nantou yesterday morning, Council of Agriculture Chairman Lee Chin-lung (李金龍) said strawberries, pears and high-mountain teas are among the hardest-hit products.

Lee said the council will negotiate with government agencies to offer cash subsidies or low-interest rate loans to farmers affected by the cold snap.