May 9, 2024

 

Philippines expects livestock production growth despite El Nino challenges

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed optimism about the expected growth in livestock production this year in the country, despite challenges posed by the El Nino phenomenon impacting animal feed production, BusinessWorld reported.

 

According to Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B Savellano, the DA is confident in the potential for production increase due to the implementation of various programs aimed at addressing potential obstacles. These initiatives include providing growers with biologics, animal feed, and medicine.

 

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed a 2.5% rise in livestock output last year, surpassing the 1.9% increase reported in 2022.

 

Projections indicate growth in swine output by 3.7% and goat production by 1.3%. However, lower production is anticipated for cattle (-2.6%) and carabao (-0.9%).

 

In a bid to reduce imports, the DA aims to quintuple livestock production over the next five years, emphasising continued government support for livestock growers.

 

Jonathan V Sabiniano, programme director for the National Livestock Programme, acknowledged the impact of El Nino on animal feed production, attributing challenges to shifting climate patterns and diminishing agricultural areas.

 

Despite El Nino's weakening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts its lingering effects until August 2024.

 

As of April 30, the DA estimated agricultural damage from El Nino at PHP 5.9 billion (US$102 million), with significant losses in corn, a primary component of animal feed, amounting to PHP 1.76 billion (US$30.6 million).

 

Despite challenges, yellow corn, constituting approximately 50% of animal feed, witnessed a 2% output growth, reaching 2.08 million metric tonnes during the first quarter, as reported by the PSA.

 

-      BusinessWorld