Quake: Coldiretti says millions in farm damage

(ANSA) - Rome, August 26 - About 1,000 farms are in the areas hit by the devastating August 24 earthquake in central Italy, and with the additional aftershock Friday morning, damages in the fields have reached into the millions of euros, according to an initial estimate by Coldiretti farmers' association.
    Coldiretti is distributing aid in the form of non-perishable food goods to the communities hit by the quake, while also tackling interventions to help farms involved, many of which are currently experiencing electrical problems and dealing with dead animals, damaged buildings and broken equipment.
    It said the priority now is to get farms back up and running in this area whose economy relies heavily on agriculture, but many supplies are needed, and there's a fear of looting in isolated farming areas where residents have been forced to leave the area.
    Coldiretti said groups of young farmers have taken up nighttime patrols to protect against looting.