TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Pingtung County has suffered more than NT$130 million (US$4 million) in agricultural losses after days of torrential rain, the Pingtung County Government said Sunday.
According to the county government, 878 hectares of farmland had been damaged, with crop losses exceeding NT$94.4 million, per CNA. Aquaculture losses topped NT$33.5 million across nearly 89 hectares, while 14 livestock and poultry farms reported about NT$3.1 million in damage. Giant freshwater prawns, groupers, and threadfins were among the hardest-hit species.
Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米) said losses could continue to mount as damage to some crops may not yet be fully apparent. She said the county will work with the central government to help farmers apply for relief and restore production.
The Ministry of Agriculture has designated Pingtung eligible for disaster cash assistance and low-interest loans following the late June rainfall. Crop farmers can apply for relief through July 10, while aquaculture operators in eight townships and livestock producers countywide are also eligible.
Meanwhile, Kaohsiung’s agriculture bureau estimated total agricultural losses at NT$50.98 million, including damage to four livestock farms and more than 40,000 chicken deaths, per UDN. In Yunlin County, heavy rainfall was concentrated in Xiluo and Erlun Townships, affecting cabbage, bok choy, and scallion crops.
