The Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed confidence that continued improvements in weather conditions, along with intensified interventions such as new cold storage and rice processing infrastructure, will support the agricultural sector’s ongoing recovery and lead to better incomes for farmers and fisherfolk.

After a strong 1.9 percent growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector in the first quarter of 2025, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday expressed optimism for the rest of the year.

“We are optimistic that the recovery in the first quarter signals momentum for the latter half of the year—especially as we bring new infrastructure online such as cold storage facilities and rice processing systems,” Laurel said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority recently reported a 1.9 percent year-on-year growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector, reaching P437.74 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up from P429.62 billion during the same period in 2024.

The growth was driven by a 1 percent increase in crops, valued at P249.61 billion, followed by a 9.4 percent rise in poultry, which reached P75.22 billion.

Fisheries also saw a 1.5 percent boost, bringing its total value to P55.10 billion.