January 28, 2021

Agriculture in the Philippines declines 1.7% due to lower livestock production

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show agriculture and fisheries production fell 1.7% in 2021 compared to the year prior, caused by livestock diseases and Typhoon Odette, Manila Standard reported.

However, the country's crops subsector recorded a 2.3% growth last year at PHP 1 trillion (~US$19.5 billion; PHP 10 = US$0.20) compared to PHP 982 billion (~US$19 billion) in 2020. Corn production reached a record high output of 8.3 metric tonnes in 2021, 2.1% higher compared to the 8.1 million metric tonnes produced in 2020.

William Dar, Agriculture Secretary, said the country remains on track to boost production of its major staples, in partnership with local farmers, fishers, livestock and poultry raisers, local government units, private sector, and agri-fishery industry stakeholders.

Livestock output in the Philippines fell, with poultry production 0.3% down. The fisheries industry, however, did record a 0.1% growth.

Swine output dropped 20.8% in 2021 compared to the year prior, due to the ongoing African swine fever problem in the sector.

Dar said the Duterte administration will continue to promote efficient and sustainable technologies, as well as innovations to among farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs. Assistance will be provided in the form of technical, farm mechanization and consolidation, financial and marketing.

-      Manila Standard