Agri growth goal for 2016 in peril

MANILA, Philippines - The local agriculture sector is likely to miss the government’s official growth target of 3 to 3.5 percent this year largely due to the ill effects of El Niño and an incoming La Niña.

“It might be difficult to achieve the growth target this year since we were hit by El Niño and here comes La Niña. But what’s important is we were able to lessen the expected damage,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

For the first quarter alone, agricultural production fell 4.5 percent to P193.1 billion due to the prolonged dry spell.

Alcala refused to give a new target for the sector’s production as the agency is still in the process of assessing figures for submission to the next administration.

To avert the possible damage of La Nina, Alcala said the DA is focusing on the production of the multi-stress variety green super rice.

“We are now in the process of expanding the production of the green super rice,” he added.

Meanwhile, Alcala is urging incoming agriculture chief Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol to pursue the country’s rice self-sufficiency level which is currently at 97 percent.

It would be recalled that Alcala promised to hit the 100 percent rice sufficiency level during the start of his term.

Piñol is set to meet with Alcala’s transition team on June 8-9 to discuss priority programs and review reforms.

Alcala has already instructed the agency to lay down abstracts and briefing materials for a smoother turnover.

“We hope they find time to review our turnover papers. We will share with them whatever necessary data they will be needing,” Alcala said.