August 15, 2012

 

Philippine's agricultural sector up 1% in H1 2012

 

 

In the first half of 2012, the Philippine agriculture sector grew by 0.93%, with a gross value of PHP691.4 billion (US$16.4 billion) at current prices.

 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a statement said the modest growth was bannered by the poultry, crops and livestock subsectors, which grew by 5.5%, 1.5% and 0.5%, respectively.

 

The fisheries subsector, however, registered a decline of 3.3% versus the same six-month period last year. The crops subsector, which accounted for 52% of total agricultural production, was led by palay (rice) and corn, as production increased by 4.15% and 4.8%, respectively.

 

Harvest of palay during the first six months of the year totalled 7.89 million tonnes, which is 4.2% higher than last year's 7.58 million tonnes. Corn production amounted to 3.47 million tonnes, 4.8% more than last year's output of 3.31 million tonnes.

 

Secretary Alcala said good weather and appropriate interventions by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the provision of quality seeds and more irrigated areas have enabled farmers to produce a record second quarter palay harvest, totalling 3.9 million tonnes. This was 10% higher than last year's 3.54 million tonnes during the same April-June period.

 

Likewise, second quarter production of corn increased by 4% to 1.45 million tonnes, from last year's level of 1.4 million tonnes. Meanwhile, despite the recent flooding due to typhoons 'Ferdie' and 'Gener,' and monsoon rains, the forecasts are bright for both palay and corn for the second semester.

 

Based on survey of standing crops last July, the DA's Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said the third quarter palay production may reach 3.56 million tonnes, which is 12% more than last year's output of 3.17 million tonnes.

 

For the fourth quarter, based on farmers' planting intentions, palay production would top 6.36 million tonnes, which is 7% more than last year's output of 5.94 million tonnes. In all, palay production for 2012 may reach 17.8 million tonnes, which would be another record harvest, and 6.7% more than last year's output of 16.68 million tonnes. As for corn, production for the second semester may reach 3.99 million tonnes, based on third quarter standing crop and fourth quarter farmers' planting intentions.

 

Likewise, total corn production for the entire 2012 may reach 7.46 million tonnes, which is also a record harvest, and 7% more than last year's output of 6.97 million tonnes. In all, the projected increases in palay and corn production may be attributed to the expansion in harvest areas due to expansion of irrigated areas, and improvement in yields due to the use of quality seeds.

 

During the first six months of the year, production of other major crops also increased. These include coconut (up by 5.5%), pineapple (4.4%), coffee (4.4%), tobacco (3.8%), abaca (3.1%), cabbage (3%) and rubber (6.7%). Total crop production was valued at PHP392.3 billion (US$9.3 billion), at current prices.

 

The poultry subsector, which shared 13.9% in total agricultural output, expanded by 5.5% and grossed PHP81.3 billion (US$1.9 billion) at current prices. The livestock subsector, which contributed 15.2% to total agricultural production, grew slightly by 1/2%, and grossed PHP100.3 billion (US$2.4 billion) at current prices.

 

The fisheries subsector, which accounted for 18.8% of total agricultural output, contracted by 3.3%. It grossed PHP117.4 billion (US$2.8 billion) at current prices.