Agri sector expands 2.87%

While the sector generally improved, it was noted that palay production was down 4.53 percent during the quarter.

Crop production cornered 45. 91 percent of the sector’s total output for the third quarter of 2019.

The country’s agriculture sector, reeling from prevailing low price of palay and the outbreak of African swine fever, concluded the third quarter on a positive note by posting a 2.87 percent growth.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the expansion was driven by the increase in crop, livestock, poultry, and fisheries productions. The PSA said the farm sector substantially recovered from a 0.87 decline in the previous quarter.

With this development, Agriculture Secretary William Dar expressed confidence the farm sector will book a 2 to 2.5 percent growth by year-end, noting the farmers and fishers have proven resilient and responsive to the programs and projects of the DA.

“This is a much better performance. We will continue to enhance the proper and sustained implementation of programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to further elevate the growth of the agriculture sector,�? Dar said in a news statement.

Crop production, which accounted for 45.91 percent of the total agricultural output, improved by 2.01 percent for the July to September period as corn went up by 23.47 percent.

While the sector generally improved, it was noted that palay production was down 4.53 percent during the quarter. This was attributed to the substantial reduction in harvested areas in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN region due to insufficient water supply.

The same reason was cited for decreases in harvested areas in the CALABARZON, MIMAROPA region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga.

In terms of corn production, the state-run statistics office saw a recovery from the damage caused by Typhoon Mangkhut (locally named Ompong) in 2018.

“Further, there was shifting from cassava and sugarcane to corn production in the region. Similarly, CAR reported recovery from Ompong,�? the PSA reported.

Meanwhile, livestock production contributed 18.67 percent of the total farm output and posted a 1.63 percent hike. Hog production cornered 1.63 percent of the sector, and posted an upward trend by 1.63 percent in the third quarter.

Dairy production jacked up by 6.48 percent; poultry production booked an 8.41 percent increment, and fisheries production grew by 0.56 percent.

At current prices, total agricultural production was valued at P 395.3 billion, 3.64 percent lower from the same quarter last year. Total crop production value declined by 7.07 percent to P199.6 billion as the value of palay production dropped 29.82 percent due to lower prices and production volume.