November 11, 2024

 

Philippine agriculture sector braces for recovery amid climate challenges and ASF threats

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines has assured that recovery measures are underway to counter the impacts of El Nino, La Nina, successive typhoons, and African swine fever (ASF) on the nation's agricultural sector.

 

This response comes following a 3.7% year-on-year contraction in agri-fishery output, which stood at PHP 397.43 billion (US$6.7 billion) for the third quarter of 2024, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

 

Among the sectors, livestock experienced the steepest decline, falling by 6.7% to PHP 61.67 billion (US$1.05 billion). Fisheries output dropped by 5.5% to PHP 55.48 billion (US$946 million), while crop production declined by 5.1%, reaching PHP 211.62 billion (US$3.6 billion).

 

Philippines' Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa highlighted ongoing support initiatives designed to ensure a quick recovery for farmers following the challenges posed by weather-related disturbances.

 

"Despite the decline in agri-fishery output, government support is in place to help farmers recover and replant. First, we aim to strengthen production despite these losses," De Mesa said. "Secondly, we will balance local production with importation, which is already underway."

 

The DA has rolled out several interventions, including the distribution of PHP 541.02 million (US$9.2 million) worth of agricultural inputs. These inputs cover rice, corn, and vegetable seedlings, along with drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.

 

Additionally, PHP 500 million (US$8.5 million) has been made available as a loan fund under the Survival and Recovery Loan (SURE) programme, offering farmers loans of up to PHP 25,000 (US$426), payable over three years with no interest. A PHP 1 billion (US$17 million) Quick Response Fund (QRF) has also been allocated for the rehabilitation of affected areas. Further measures include deploying Kadiwa food trucks to provide more affordable goods and distributing rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) in disaster-hit locations.

 

On Wednesday, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) released PHP 24.4 million (US$416,000) in indemnities to 2,644 farmers in the Bicol region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). This assistance targets regions including Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

 

Beyond financial aid, the DA has adjusted the cropping calendar and increased efforts to enhance irrigation infrastructure to address climate-related challenges.

 

"We are implementing changes to the rice cropping calendar and developing infrastructure, like water impounding dams, to mitigate climate change impacts on the farming sector," DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

 

In the livestock sector, De Mesa expressed optimism about obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration for AVAC live vaccines against ASF for commercial use by year-end. This vaccine approval would mark a critical step in limiting the spread of ASF within the country.

 

The poultry sector, in contrast, posted a 5.8% increase in production during the third quarter, valued at PHP 68.66 million (US$1.17 million). De Mesa attributed this improvement to stringent government measures against avian influenza.

 

As of November 4, 2024, the DA reported that only one barangay in San Luis, Pampanga has an active avian influenza case nationwide.

 

-      Philippine News Agency