PH agri output grew 5.3% in Q1, says PSA

Philippine agricultural production revved up by 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter to reach P203.1 billion at constant prices, recovering from a low base seen amid destructive weather conditions last year.

In terms of current prices, growth was pegged at 8.8 percent with P407.6 billion in gross receipts.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that farm output grew after two consecutive quarters of decline —by 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2.3 percent in the third quarter.

Agricultural performance showed an expected growth from P193.1 billion in the March quarter of 2016, when output dropped by 4.5 percent due to the prolonged dry spell and damage caused by Typhoons “Lando” and “Nona.”

According to the PSA, growth in the previous quarter was seen across all sub-sectors, with crops providing the main boost.

Output in crops—which represented 54 percent of total output—jumped 8.3 percent to P109 billion—turning around from a decline of 8.4 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

Palay farms alone, which represented one-fifth of total output, turned out P37.3 billion —still the biggest amount for any single farm product—an increase of 12.4 percent year-on-year.

This was attributed to the increase in both production and prices during the period, the PSA said.

Similarly, a higher volume pushed up the gross value of corn output by 11.9 percent while price hikes contributed to the 23-percent gain in coconut.

Growth in the livestock sub-sector, accounting for 16 percent of total output, eased to 3.4 percent from the 4.6 percent previously to settle at P34.2 billion.

Barely recovering from a previous 6-percent decline was the fisheries sub-sector—representing 14 percent of total— with an increase of 0.7 percent to ring up P28.7 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said in a statement the first-quarter growth “could be attributed to the blessings of a good climate and favorable conditions in the farming sector.”

“It is also an indication that we are on the right track in agri and fisheries development,” Piñol said. “But, a lot more needs to be done. With the implementation of easy access financing, agri and fisheries productivity could be further boosted.”