September 1, 2006

Poultry and swine production up in Philippine region of Northern Mindanao 

Northern Mindanao's chicken population leapt 36 percent from 8.3 million in 2005 to 11.2 million this year, according to a census from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

Meanwhile, swine inventory rose 6.5 percent, from 804,870 to 857,134 heads.

This was due to the increased number of poultry and livestock farms in the region to cater to the population's growing meat demand and because there were more farmers engaged in backyard raising, Regional Director Myra V. Balandra of the National Economic and Development Authority said.

In terms of live weights during the first three months of the year, total meat production posted a slight increase of 2.80 percent, from 63,379 tonnes to 65,156 tonnes, with cattle registering the highest increase of 8 percent, from 7,089 tonnes to 7,656 tonnes

The increase in meat production was attributed mainly to the rise in the number of animals sold and slaughtered in the abattoirs, Balandra said.

However, due to the reduction in the number of laying flocks and egg efficiency ratio during the period, duck meat production and egg production were down about 2 percent during the period.

Meanwhile, Malacanang said the Philippines' economy is taking off.

August inflation is expected to be lower than July due to the continued firmness of the peso and lower food prices. Meanwhile, greater crop harvests, more remittances from workers abroad and greater consumption are spurring economic growth in the Philippines.