By Cielito M. Reganit
MANILA, May 18 (PNA) — Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala lauded on Monday the performance of the agriculture sector after it grew nearly two percent in the first three months of 2015 and said that the challenge now for the Department of Agriculture is how to sustain the growth momentum amid weather-related risks and other challenges.
“Through better governance and continued investments in postharvest facilities and other key infrastructure, we hope to accelerate or sustain this expansion in support of all the actors, notably the smallholders,” Alcala said as he stressed the importance of agriculture in the economy, being a major source of income and livelihood opportunities in the countryside.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday that the agri-fishery sector grew by 1.78 percent in the first quarter of 2015, with gross value reaching PhP 380.1 billion at current prices that was bolstered by increased harvest of palay and corn.
According to the PSA report, palay and corn production surpassed their 2014 levels by 1.41 percent and 3.97 percent, respectively. The positive growth was largely attributed to the expansion in harvest areas and improvement in yield of irrigated palay and yellow corn.
Improved performances were also noted in the livestock and poultry subsectors, at 3.23 percent and 5.42 percent, respectively.
However, the fisheries subsector posted a decline during the period, as lower catch of round scad or galunggong (-19.45 percent) and skipjack (-7.03 percent) contributed to the 2.57 percent reduction in fisheries output.
Alcala said that among investments in key infrastructure being undertaken by the DA is the ongoing establishment of trading centers in strategic areas nationwide to directly link food producers to markets.
This included the soon-to-be completed Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad that is touted to become the biggest in the country.
The Agri chief said the PhP655-million facility will include trading spaces and a processing center for highland vegetables such as carrots, lettuce and broccoli.
He said that DA is targeting to open the facility before the end of June.
“The DA has likewise started to implement the six-year Philippine Rural Development Project wherein DA partners with local government units and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and information to raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside,” Alcla said.
Nearly three-fourths (67 percent) of PRDP’s project cost of PhP27.5 billion has been earmarked for infrastructure projects of local government units such as farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigation, potable water systems, post-harvest and storage facilities, trading posts, fish landing facilities and solar driers.
“These infrastructure and production assistance will help food producers move from subsistence agriculture to surplus production. This will help spur inclusive growth as envisioned by President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Alcala said.
Meanwhile, the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that despite a decline in production of the fisheries sector, it sees a good chance for a strong recovery, especially when the impact of its interventions takes effect.
Agriculture Undersecretary and concurrent Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez said that among such interventions is the planned implementation of a closed season for round scad in northern Palawan which BFAR hopes to carry out before the year-end pending the completion of a study on its effect on fish spawning and economic activity in the province.
“We are thankful to have generated enough support from the industry to undertake the temporary fishing ban in Palawan,” he said.
“In the meantime, BFAR is vigorously assisting the expansion of farms for vannamei (white-leg shrimp), eel and seaweeds to spur growth in the fisheries sector,” Perez said. (PNA)