Agriculture on way to recovery from Typhoon Yagi

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has reported that Typhoon Yagi resulted in flooding across 200,721 ha of rice fields, 50,642 ha of vegetables, and 61,072 ha of fruit. Additionally, 3,722 fish farming cages were damaged or washed away, and 26,485 heads of livestock along with more than 2.9 million heads of poultry were lost. Total damage, as of September 17, was estimated at around VND50 trillion ($2.03 billion).

Ms. Tran Thi Vinh, who owns the Hoa Binh Minh pig farm in Tuy Loc commune in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, described the disaster as beyond imagination. Prior to Typhoon Yagi, her farm had over 5,000 pigs, each weighing between 60 and 120 kilos and just 1-2 months away from sale. However, the flood swept away all but 50 pigs. This catastrophe not only resulted in the loss of VND25 billion ($1.01 million) in investment but also left numerous workers jobless. “For the past week, I have been in shock and unsure of where to begin,” she lamented. “Every household around here has suffered losses, so I don’t dare ask for much. I just hope the government can offer some a

ssistance to help the farm recover.”

In response, Mr. Vu Kim Viet, Chairman of the Tuy Loc Commune People’s Committee, said it will be challenging for the Hoa Binh Minh farm to recover given its herd of over 5,000 pigs. The commune is now organizing efforts to clean up roads, ditches, and fields to prevent disease outbreaks.

In Hanoi’s Dong Anh district, hundreds of thousands of laying hens owned by Mr. Hoang Ngoc Doan in Tam Xa commune were swept away in a single night. “Our farm raises chickens about 2 km from the Red River, and was inundated when water levels rose, and we were unable to respond in time,” he sadly recounted. “The flood wiped out most of our laying hens, which were at peak production, along with all our investment.”

Before Typhoon Yagi, Mr. Doan’s farm had 150,000 laying hens producing 70,000-75,000 eggs daily and generating approximately VND100 million ($4,055) in revenue each day. He estimates that losses from the storm and flooding amounted to about VND11 billion ($445,685). When including the cost of feed and water-damaged equipment, the total damage stands at about VND14 billion ($567,560). “Years of savings have been wiped out, leaving me with nothing and burdened with bank debts,” he said. “My family now has to pay over VND200 million ($8,115) in loan interest each month.”

After the floodwaters receded and access to the farm was restored, local authorities conducted a damage assessment, deployed excavators, and mobilized workers to help the family dispose of the dead chickens, which were buried and handled according to proper procedures to prevent environmental contamination.

A “tsunami” for marine farmers

Typhoon Yagi turned into a “tsunami” for seafood farmers in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. The disaster has transformed the expansive Bai Tu Long area into a scene of devastation. Thousands of fish farming cages and oyster farms have disappeared. Floating cages and plastic platforms are tangled together and washed into the recesses of Ha Long Bay, while others have been slammed against cliff faces.

“All members of Trung Nam Cooperative and other cooperatives like Phat Co, Kien Cuong, and Thang Loi have lost everything,” Mr. Ngo Nam Trung, Director of Trung Nam Cooperative and a leading figure in marine farming in Van Don, explained. “My own family estimates its losses of over VND7 billion ($283,670).” He added that Trung Nam Cooperative members had recently invested heavily in upgrading from foam to HDPE plastic floats to secure their cages. Each household had invested billions of VND, mortgaging property and taking out bank loans, only to see it all washed away by the storm.

On Thang Loi Island, one of the most severely affected households belongs to Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh. Before the storm, his farm had 20,000 cages of various marine species, including 200 oyster ropes and 20 cages of snapper, barracuda, and grouper. He was also part of the Thang Loi Aquaculture Cooperative on the island, which operates within a six-nautical-mile radius under provincial oversight. “The entire cage area is in ruins, and nothing remains,” he said tearfully. “My family’s losses are estimated at VND12 billion ($486,280).”

According to figures from Cai Rong town, Typhoon Yagi caused the loss of 71 cages, completely ruined 30 oyster farms, and sank nine cement boats used by marine farmers. In Van Don district overall, preliminary reports indicate that 1,340 households involved in oyster farming, cage farming, clam farming, and other marine activities have suffered damage, with most operations being completely wiped out.

Ms. Truong Thi Thuy Huyen, Head of the Van Don District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported that over 32,110 tons of local seafood production has been affected. This includes more than 25,637 tons of oysters, 636 tons of fish, and over 5,480 tons of other seafood. The impact of Typhoon Yagi almost eradicated marine farming throughout Van Don. The estimated total damage to its fishing industry amounts to over VND2.28 trillion ($92.5 million).

Rice and crops submerged

In Hanoi and nearby Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ha Nam provinces, extensive areas of rice and crops have been inundated, with many suffering total losses from the storm.

Mr. Vu Tien Tham’s family in Dong Hung district, Thai Binh province, had 40 acres of rice in the flowering stage, which were submerged by the heavy rains and floods. It is estimated that about 30 per cent of the rice area has been completely lost. “It’s been years since I’ve witnessed a storm and flood of this magnitude,” he said. “The disaster struck when the rice was at a vulnerable stage. I knew there would be damage, but I didn’t expect it to be this severe.”

“It is estimated that about 4,500 ha of seasonal rice in the district will suffer a 20-30 per cent decline in yield, with 500 ha suffering more than 50 per cent damage,” said Mr. Do Tien Cong, Head of the Quynh Phu District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Thai Binh. “Summer-autumn crops on 1,500 ha have been damaged. The district has issued directives and guidelines for residents to manage the aftermath and is also assessing the extent of the damage to propose support, helping residents quickly resume production.”

According to a report from the Thai Binh Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue, around 11,000 ha of seasonal rice in the province was affected by Typhoon Yagi. However, due to effective drainage measures, the area experiencing more than 30 per cent damage was limited to about 6,000 ha. Additionally, 585 ha of vegetables that had not yet been harvested or were newly-planted were 30-70 per cent affected, while 2,760 ha experienced damage exceeding 70 per cent. Fruit trees on 1,215 ha were 30-70 per cent impacted, with 170 ha more than 70 per cent affected. The estimated damage to the agriculture sector in Thai Binh province is some VND350 billion ($14.2 million).

Meanwhile, according to a report from the Nam Dinh Provincial People’s Committee, the total estimated damage in the province caused by the typhoon is nearly VND564 billion ($22.8 million). The most significant damage was in agriculture, with 18,102 ha of rice affected, leading to damage estimated at VND381.5 billion ($15.5 million), while 3,800 ha of vegetables suffered damage estimated at VND105.75 billion ($4.3 million).

Restoring production

On September 15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an online conference of permanent government members with representatives of localities affected by Typhoon Yagi to discuss urgent solutions to overcome the aftermath, support people and enterprises in stabilizing lives, and restore production and business activities.

He suggested that the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the banking system consider extending debt repayment deadlines or launching zero-interest rate loan packages, while the Ministry of Finance could consider reducing or extending payment deadlines for taxes, fees, and charges.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade was instructed to guarantee the supply of input materials for production and business. The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, meanwhile, was asked to devise lending plans for households.

Additionally, the Prime Minister called for strongly promoting the disbursement of funds from public investment and national target programs; ensuring budget collections along with fuel, power, and water supply; efficiently using donations and preventing corruption, waste, and profiteering; guaranteeing sufficient goods and materials for production and business; controlling prices; renewing the three traditional growth drivers of investment, export, and consumption; bolstering new growth drivers; restructuring crop and animal husbandry; aligning production and business activities with local conditions; and continuing with measures to diversify markets, products, and supply chains.

He also sought a united effort in overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, stabilizing livelihoods, restoring production and business activities, controlling inflation, and achieving economic growth targets.