Farm sector seen growing 3%

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects the farm sector to post a growth of three percent this year on expectations of sustained good performance of the livestock, poultry and fisheries sector.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the country would continue to take advantage of the animal-disease-free status of the  poultry and livestock industries.

“The livestock and poultry sectors continue to grow. Korea is opening its doors to us for chicken exports and we have begun shipping peking duck to Japan,” said Alcala.

With the extended access give to the Philippines to tuna-rich Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean and the sustained exportation of vannamei shrimp, Alcala said the fisheries subsector is expected to be one of the best performing agriculture subsector this year.

“Fisheries subsector has the best potential this year,” said Alcala.

The agriculture sector posted a growth of 1.15 percent in 2013, driven by gains in the livestock, poultry and fisheries subsectors.

Production in the livestock subsector in 2013 rose 1.75 percent, accounting for 16.23 percent of the total farm output for 2013. Growth was lead by hog and cattle production.

The subsector grossed P233.2 billion, up 8.2 percent year-on-year. 

Production in the poultry sector rose 4.20 percent in 2013, contributing 14.76 percent to total farm production for  the year.

Chicken production was the major source of growth for the subsector during the period, growing 5.01 percent. The poultry subsector grossed P174.2 billion, up  4.31 percent from a year ago.

The fisheries subsector recovered from negative growth in 2012, with production expanding 1.23 percent in 2013. At current prices, the subsector grossed P239.1 billion, up 2.78 percent year-on-year.

The livestock and poultry sectors remain free from bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that have affected neighboring Asian countries.

Last year, the Philippines was granted extended fishing access to tuna-rich high seas pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean until 2017 by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The Philippines would be allowed to operate 36 catcher vessels with a capacity not exceeding 250 metric ton  in the high seas pocket for the duration of the extended access.

Last year, the Philippines resumed the exporation of vannamei (white shrimp) after recovering from diseases that plagued the industry more than 15 years ago closed opportunities to growers.

Shrimp growers have been shipping vannamei to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, US and China amid strong demand.

In the crops subsector, palay production is expected to reach between 19.5 million metric tons (MT) to 20 million MT this year.

Corn production this year would also be increased to support the feed requirements of the growing livestock subsector. Corn production in 2013 reached 7.4 million MT.