Philippines targets 4 percent agriculture growth this year

The Philippines is targeting 4 percent farm output growth in 2009, primarily due to the government's increased support for the sector, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Thursday (February 12).

"That's just a preliminary target," Yap said.

In 2008, agricultural output rose 3.9 percent compared with a 4 percent to 5 percent target set by the agriculture department and slower than 4.6 percent growth in 2007.

The government is increasing its spending on infrastructure and will boost its rice procurement program to build up a healthy buffer, Yap said.

Paddy rice output will likely rise 3.5 percent this year and corn production by double digits, he added.