Pingtung Agricultural Losses Exceed NT$180 Million; Council of Agriculture to Assist with Replanting

(CNA, reporter Li Hui-ting, Pingtung County, June 29) Heavy rains have severely impacted crops in Pingtung, with agricultural losses accumulating to over NT$180 million. Yao Shih-yuan, Director-General of the COA, stated that the Agricultural Research Institute will provide technical guidance for replanting to strengthen plants for smooth production.

DPP Legislator Chung Chia-pin convened a meeting today with representatives from the COA, Agricultural Research Institute, and other agencies to assess agricultural damage. A seminar was held at the Pingtung Changzhi Farmers' Association, followed by an on-site inspection of a papaya orchard. A farmer surnamed Wu reported that he cultivates 5 fen of papayas. The recent heavy rains were sudden and intense, causing flooding in his orchard. The papayas were in their peak production season, and the fruit developed water damage due to excessive moisture absorption, leading to severe fruit drop. He estimates that over half of his fruit has been ruined, expressing deep distress over the heavy losses.

Yao Shih-yuan mentioned that cash relief and low-interest loans have been announced for all crop types in Kaohsiung and Pingtung. Subsequently, the Agricultural Research Institute will provide technical guidance for replanting, fertilization, and cultivation management to strengthen plants for smooth production.

Chung Chia-pin stated that farmers depend on the weather. In addition to government relief, agricultural insurance mechanisms are also crucial. Papaya farm insurance primarily covers losses from wind speed and rainfall. The threshold for continuous rainfall triggering compensation has been lowered from 400 mm to 350 mm, with farmers only needing to bear 35% of the insurance premium. He urged the central government to expedite and simplify the disaster assessment process and encouraged farmers to purchase agricultural insurance.

The Pingtung County Government statistics as of 4 PM today show that the affected agricultural area in the county has reached 1031.6 hectares, with accumulated losses exceeding NT$121.53 million. Lemons, bananas, guavas, papayas, and wax apples have suffered the most extensive damage. Livestock farming has reported disaster losses from 22 farms, with accumulated losses of approximately NT$6.93 million. Fishery affected areas span about 197 hectares, with losses around NT$61.42 million, primarily affecting Thai shrimp, hybrid groupers, and silver pomfrets. Pingtung's total agricultural losses exceed NT$180 million.

County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi stated that the Department of Agriculture is strengthening communication with township and city offices to expedite the phased compilation of farmer application data and the transfer of funds from the COA to the respective township and city offices for prompt disbursement to farmers, thereby assisting them in replanting and rebuilding. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150629

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