Agri output grew faster in ’14

THE GROWTH in Philippine agricultural production revved up to 1.8 percent in 2014 at P792.2 billion, based on 2006 prices, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Growth was better compared to the 1.1 percent recorded in 2013, when output was valued at P777.9 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala cited the government’s intervention and programs for the sustained growth of the agri-fishery industry, helping shore up output despite the destructive weather events that recently ravaged farms across the country.

Alcala also lauded farmers and fishers “whose exemplary and noteworthy contributions” were key to increasing food production through the use of better technology and improved management of farms.

“These individuals and groups who continue to forge a strong partnership with the government … toward a food-sufficient Philippines are truly remarkable,” the agriculture chief said.

In terms of current prices, output jumped by 9.7 percent to P1.6 trillion as growth in farmgate prices rocketed to 7.7 percent—more than thrice as fast as the 2.5 percent recorded in 2013.

Growth in 2014 was largely due to “the positive performances of most commodities from the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors,” the PSA said in a report.

Yield from the crops subsector, which represented 52 percent of total output value in constant prices, totaled P409.7 billion—a 3.2-percent rise from the P396.8 billion seen in 2013.

Palay farms alone, which represented a fifth of total output, turned out P158.4 billion—still the subsector’s biggest contributor, growing by 2.9 percent.

The PSA noted that higher output and prices pushed up gross earnings from palay by 21 percent.

The agency added that yield increases recorded in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Davao in the fourth quarter contributed to the rise in production throughout the year.

Growth in corn output turned around to 5.3 percent to P51.6 billion, as did sugarcane production, which hit P20 billion—up by 4.2 percent.

But the contraction in coconut production worsened, settling at P30.2 billion.

Growth in poultry production, accounting for 11.8 percent of total output, slowed to 0.3 percent from the 4.3 percent seen the previous year to settle at about P115.2 billion.

The one-percent growth in chicken production was not enough to counter the 2.8-percent decline in the production of chicken eggs, the PSA said.

Also, growth in livestock production, which accounted for 15 percent of the total, weakened to one percent from the previous 1.8 percent, to bring in P127.5 billion.

In fisheries, which accounted for 15 percent of nationwide output, the harvest sank by 0.2 percent to settle at P139.8 billion.