Agricultural losses from Typhoon Morakot had soared to NT$4.2 billion (US$127.9 million) as of Monday, according to statistics released that day by the Cabinet- level Council of Agriculture (COA). The statistics show that damage to crops amounted to nearly NT$2 billion (US$60.9 million) , with 25 percent of the crops on 33,134 hectares of farmland lost. Bananas suffered the heaviest damage, with 4,431 hectares ravaged by strong winds and flooding. Some NT$48.84 million-worth of poultry perished in floods caused by the storm, while losses in the aquaculture sector totaled NT$1.53 billion, with 1,959 hectares of fish farms damaged. Damage to agricultural facilities amounted to NT$138.42 million, and damage to forestry was estimated at NT$14.63 million. Farmers in Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Hualien counties who suffered heavy losses can apply for cash relief or low-interest loans from the government, in accordance with the Agricultural Natural Disaster Relief Regulations, COA officials said. Farmers in Taichung County who suffered losses can apply for low-interest loans from the government, while those in Yunlin, Tainan and Taitung counties can apply for cash relief, according to a COA announcement. 