TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A week of heavy rain has caused widespread agricultural damage in Pingtung County, with local authorities reporting losses totaling 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, per CNA.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said the Ministry of Agriculture has activated its emergency response mechanism, notifying local governments that they can begin accepting applications for agricultural natural disaster relief within 10 days of the event. However, the specific scope of subsidies and eligible items has not yet been finalized, causing concern among farmers.
Chung 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. He also called for a review of the current daily rainfall threshold used to qualify for claims, suggesting it be lowered to accommodate farmers affected by the July 28 flooding.
Kuomintang Legislator Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉) pointed to chronic flooding in Gaoshu Township, where pineapple fields were completely submerged following recent downpours. Located at an average elevation of 83 meters, the township experiences flooding nearly every year due to heavy rainfall, he said.
Su attributed the problem to silted streams that can no longer properly drain floodwaters. He said responsibility should be shared by water resources agencies, the county government, and township offices.
He also advocated for damage assessments based on land area to simplify the relief process and reduce paperwork. Accelerated disbursement of funds would help farmers recover more quickly, he added.
Su noted that Pingtung’s mountainous areas have seen ongoing landslides, agricultural losses, and road damage due to continued heavy rainfall. He called for Pingtung County to be included in the Cabinet’s draft post-disaster reconstruction act following Typhoon Danas, to support ongoing recovery efforts.
