Farming Sectory Continues to Grow in the Philippines

By CnAgri Print

The agriculture sector in the Philippines has a total value of P956 billion at current prices, as it grew by 1.93 percent during the first nine months of the year. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the modest growth was led by the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors, citing estimates by the DA's Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, during a media briefing at the sidelines of the ninth National Organic Agriculture Congress in Cebu City.

The crops subsector, which accounted for 50.7 percent of total output, increased by 3.33 percent, as palay (paddy rice) and corn production grew by 6.9 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively, during the first nine months of 2012 versus the same period last year. Total palay harvest amounted to 11.5 million metric tons (MMT), while corn output was estimated at 5.9 MMT.

As for other major crops, the BAS said higher production levels were registered by coconut, pineapple, coffee, tobacco and rubber. The crops sector grossed P566B at current prices.

The livestock subsector, which shared 15.6 percent to total agricultural output, grew by 0.86 percent, with a gross value of P150.9B.

The poultry subsector continued to post positive gains at it further increased by 4.6 percent, with a total production worth P121.7B. The sector contributed 14.3 percent to total output during the first nine months of 2012.