August 13, 2004

 

 

Philippine Farm Output Up 6.61% In First Half

 

The total output of the agriculture sector, which accounts for a fifth of the Philippine economy, grew 6.61 percent year-on-year in the first six months of this year. This is due to increased production in un-husked rice, corn, sugarcane and aquaculture sub-sectors, Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo said.

 

In his report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lorenzo said the agriculture sector's output rose despite the relatively low rainfall levels, particularly in the Luzon island.

 

He added that farmers and fishermen continued to enjoy relatively good prices for their produce, which improved by an average of 9.56 percent during the period.

 

Total farm and fisheries output during the six-month period was worth 376.7 billion peso at current prices, and was 16.80 percent higher than the aggregate value of 322.5 billion recorded in the same period last year, Lorenzo said.

 

The fisheries sub-sector recorded the highest growth rate of 14.23 percent year-on-year, as aquaculture production rose by 28.74 percent to 843,460 metric tons from 655,180 tons a year earlier.

 

"Self-sufficiency in rice and corn is about to be achieved," Lorenzo told the President, as he cited significant increases in rice and corn harvests.

 

Un-husked rice production increased by 12.21 percent year-on-year in the first half to 6.04 million tons as compared with 5.38 million tons a year earlier.

 

"We achieved this even after we have to reduce the irrigation services in areas covered by Angat Dam, the water level of which had dropped below critical levels due to low rainfall," he said.

 

He also noted that farmers have shifted to higher yielding hybrid varieties and certified seeds.

 

Corn production in the first half increased by 14.08 percent to 2.33 million metric tons.

 

Lorenzo noted that farmers in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, have been planting more corn to take advantage of the improved corn prices.

 

"We expect the (corn) prices to remain firm and we are confident that we will be able to sustain this growth and eventually achieve self-sufficiency in this major food and feed ingredient," he said.

 

Sugarcane output in the first half rose 18.3 percent year-on-year to 18.35 million tons.

 

The crops sub-sector posted growth of 5.63 percent year-on-year during the first half, with total output valued at 187.5 billion peso and accounting for 48 percent of total agriculture output during the period.

 

The livestock sub-sector's output grew 2.01 percent year-on-year, while the poultry sub-sector's production increased by 2.2 percent year-year.