Farms face JPY66 billion damages from snow

February’s heavy snows caused JPY65.8 billion in damage to agriculture in nine prefectures in eastern and central Japan, according to preliminary government estimates.

Most of the damage was caused to greenhouses that collapsed under the heavy snowfall. The central government has decided to extend financial support, but people in the industry said farmers would still have to overcome a shortage of the metal pipes needed for new greenhouses. On Monday, the agriculture ministry asked five pipe makers in writing to increase production.

The total value of damage to the agriculture industry has been put at JPY24.76 billion in the Gunma Prefecture, JPY7.16 billion in the Tochigi prefecture, and JPY7.1 billion in the Yamanashi prefecture. In Saitama, where snow damage to the farming industry totaled JPY2.9 billion, municipal governments will provide affected farmers with subsidies while interest-free loans will be made available for greenhouse reconstruction.