May 10, 2024

Philippines' agri-fishery sector shows resilience despite El Nino challenges

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that government interventions have helped mitigate the impacts of the El Nino phenomenon on the agriculture and fisheries sector, as evidenced by the sector's production during the first quarter of 2024, Philippine News Agency reported.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), agri-fishery production grew marginally by 0.05% in the first three months of the year, reaching a value of PHP 428.99 billion (US$7.4 billion), slightly higher than the PHP 428.79 billion (US$7.4 billion) recorded for the same period in 2023.

Philippines' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said the agriculture sector has fared better this time compared to periods in the past when the country experienced El Nino, thanks to interventions and assistance provided by the government.

Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the impacts of El Nino on the agriculture sector could have been more severe without the early mitigation and food security measures implemented under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

De Mesa pointed out other challenges confronting the sector, such as transboundary diseases, African swine fever (ASF), and avian influenza.

Poultry production saw a notable growth of 5.9% in the first quarter, valued at PHP 68.76 billion (US$1.19 billion), attributed to increased production of chicken, eggs, and ducks. However, a slight decline was observed in crop production, which contracted by 0.3%, valued at PHP 247.04 billion (US$4.3 billion)

De Mesa highlighted upcoming DA programmes and activities, including more irrigation projects, expected to be rolled out in the second quarter, which would lead to increased employment in agriculture and boost livestock production in the second and third quarters.

The DA also anticipates achieving around 1% to 2% growth performance for 2024.

-      Philippine News Agency