February 10, 2015

 

Philippine agri-fishery sector grew 1.83% in 2014 despite typhoons

 

 

The Philippines' agri-fishery sector grew by 1.83% in terms of volume and almost 10% in terms of value despite the weather disturbances that hit the country, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2014 alone, Alcala said agriculture grew 4.8% compared with the 0.9% growth in the same period in 2013.

 

"Growth was achieved despite the strong typhoons that battered some key production areas," he said.

 

The Department of Agriculture chief said growth areas in 2015 include the crops subsectors, led by rice and corn.

 

Fisheries, which slowed down last year, is expected to recover, while livestock and poultry is projected to register a respectable expansion, he added.

 

Alcala said that his department would focus on the development of rural infrastructure and technology to modernise the agricultural economy.

 

The department, he added, has also intensified the implementation of its farm mechanization, national organic agriculture and post-harvest development programs across all commodities to minimise production and labor costs, and reduce post-harvest losses.

 

This year the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)-a six-year initiative that aims to improve rural infrastructure to enhance productivity, connectivity and integration of production areas to markets-will formally start after preparatory activities were completed last year, including the formulation of commodity investment plans of participating local government units (LGUs).

 

The department has partnered with LGUs and the private sector in providing farmers' and fishers' groups with key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information in support of their food production, value-adding and marketing activities.

 

"We want the rural sector to diversify, and produce various commodities of increasingly good quality," Alcala said. "That is the key to sustainable food security and inclusive socio-economic prosperity."

 

He said the Department of Agriculture is also gearing up for the economic integration later this year of the 10 countries that are grouped under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes the Philippines. The integration is expected to usher in more intense competition among the member-countries for their agri-fishery exports.

 

Alcala said the Philippines needs to explore fully the new market opportunities offered by free trade agreements for both traditional and new agricultural exports.