Southern Taiwan farmers have lost over US$10 million after Typhoon Krathon ruined their fields and orchards. They're hoping Taiwan's national government will step up to provide aid.
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00:00Toppled date trees litter this field in Merville, Kaohsiung.
00:03What date fruit survived the blast of Typhoon Kwa Tun last week are bruised or otherwise ruined.
00:09This southern corner of Taiwan took the brunt of the storm.
00:12This farmer says the losses are massive.
00:22It's not just dates.
00:24Other fruits like guava have taken a big hit too.
00:27Total agricultural losses in Kaohsiung are nearing three million U.S. dollars.
00:31The city's mayor says some help is on the way.
00:47But the destruction goes beyond Kaohsiung.
00:50In neighboring Pingtung County, losses have broken seven million U.S. dollars,
00:54with crops including cucumbers and zucchini devastated.
00:57One farmer explains all the investment that went into her crop.
01:01All of it now a waste.
01:12Here too, officials are inspecting damage
01:14and hoping the government in Taipei will lend a hand soon.
01:25It's not uncommon for farmers to get government subsidies or other help after a major disaster.
01:29And given the scale of this disaster,
01:31these farmers feel that help can't come soon enough.
01:34Howard Zhang and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.