MANILA, Philippines – The agriculture sector is expected to grow “not less than five percent” this year, Agriculture Secretary Prospero J. Alcala said yesterday.
Alcala said the forecast is hinged on better crop production as well as continued growth in the livestock and fisheries sector.
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Director Romeo Recide said the optimistic projection is based on the flat growth last year and as such “there is nowhere to go but up.”
Last year, the farm sector contracted by 0.12 percent due to the El Niño phenomenon in the first half and Typhoon Juan in the third quarter.
Alcala hopes this year, barring any major weather disturbance, the agricultural sector will be able to recover and post a growth of “not less than five percent.”
Alcala expressed optimism for a good first quarter crop production performance based on his own observation of standing crops in the fields.