Agri sector posts 1% growth in 1Q

MANILA, Philippines – The agriculture sector grew by 1% in the first quarter of 2012, buoyed by gains in the poultry, livestock, and crops sector.

Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala (L) and Pres. Benigno Aquino III during last year’s Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremonies in Malacañang. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

But the growth was tempered by the fisheries sector, which contracted by 4% due to the closure of sardines and tuna fishing grounds.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Thursday said the country is on track to meet its 2012 growth target, which is 4% to 5%.

Alacala noted that the crops, particularly the palay (unmilled rice) sector, and the fishing industry will play catch up in the second and third quarters of the year due to the lifting of the closed season and increase in palay plantings.

Alcala said the palay sector was slightly lower at 3.99 million metric tons, a slight dip from the record-breaking harvest of 4.037 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2012. In the first semester of 2012, the Department of Agriculture forecast to harvest 7.838 million metric tons. This is 3.4% more than the first semester 2011 output.

“Our palay production target remains on tract, as we expect to harvest 3.846 million metric tons in the 2nd quarter based on standing crop, and another 3.413 million metric tons in the 3rd quarter based on planting intentions,” Alcala said.

Corn production grew significantly in the January-March period to 2.02 million metric tons, 5.4% higher than the gains in the same period last year.

The fishing sector is seen to recover after contracting in the past years. The 3-month closed season on sardine fishing in the Zamboanga peninsula was lifted last March. Filipino commercial tuna fishers will be able to harvest tuna in the Pacific high seas in June or July, he said.

Meanwhile, the livestock sector registered 3.17% increase in production, accounting for 15.5% of the total agriculture output. Hog production fueled the gains in this sector, whose total value was placed at P49.86 billion. Fowl breeders also performed well in the first quarter, expanding by 7%. The sector’s value amounted to P41.64 billion.