Agricultural losses from Typhoon Morakot had soared to NT$12.27 billion (US$373 million) as of yesterday morning, figures released by the Council of Agriculture showed.
The council said that Morakot, which pummeled Taiwan from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, caused serious damage to agriculture in 11 counties, with Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung counties the hardest hit.
CROPS, FISH
Damage to crops amounted to NT$3.99 billion, with 27 percent of crops on 72,345 hectares of farmland wiped out.
Banana crops suffered the heaviest damage, with 5,945 hectares ravaged by strong winds and flooding.
Damage to the aquaculture sector amounted to NT$4.13 billion, the heaviest loss in 19 years. Some 8,845 hectares of fish ponds and coastal fish farms were lost, it said.
LIVESTOCK
Some 138,000 pigs, nearly 600,000 chickens and more than 132,000 ducks perished in floods and mudslides, representing an economic loss of NT$1.42 billion.
Farmers who suffered heavy losses can apply for cash relief or low-interest loans from the government under the Agricultural Natural Disaster Relief Regulations (農業天然災害救助辦法), council officials said.
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