Firm backs DA growth goal

Agriculture products and technology distribution firm Calata Corp. said it was supporting the Department of Agriculture’s bid to raise the country’s food production target by 3.5 percent to 5 percent next year.

Calata Corp. chairman and CEO Joseph Calata said he believed the DA goal was “reasonable and attainable” and called for “the all-out support of private sector players in the agriculture industry.”

The DA farm growth goal for 2012 was set at 4.1 percent. It was based on the expected increase in the output of the crops subsector.

Calata said the growth targets “underscore the seriousness of the government’s bid for greater food sufficiency while further uplifting the farming sector”.

Calata, in a statement, said it was supporting the DA target with its own expansion program. “With more Calata outlets in areas close to food producers, the crops subsector gains better access to agricultural technologies and farm inputs.”

“This is crucial because technologies and inputs have much impact on farm productivity,” he explained.

The conglomerate earlier said it was increasing the number of its outlets from 120 to 250 using the proceeds generated by its recent listing in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Calata Corp. distributes agrochemicals, fertilizers, veterinary products, seeds and feeds from leading manufacturers in the country and abroad.

It earlier inaugurated its soil-testing facilities to support DA’s bid to encourage farmers to use fertilizers and chemicals prudently.