MANILA – Philippine agriculture gained 1.08 percent or P341.1 billion, for the first three months this year, which was attributed to the increase in the production of poultry, livestock and crop subsectors.

Livestock production increased by 3.17 percent while poultry subsector production grew by 7.06 percent.

Crops subsector also raised by 0.80 percent in production.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Romeo Recide said the slight increase in crop production was due to the movement of calendar planting in some regions of the country.

“We have to know that a little change in the planting calendar can move everything. There would be a slight delay in production but we expect an increase in harvest next quarter,” he said.

The total agricultural output for the first quarter of the year, however, was recorded at 3.14 percent lower than last year as fisheries subsector declined by 7.06 percent.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, meanwhile, said that crop production is not all a setback since its record output registered 4.037 million metric tons.

"Our palay production target remains on track, as we expect to harvest 3.846 million MT in the second quarter based on standing crop, and another 3.423 million MT in the third quarter based on planting intentions," he noted.

Consultations and other services are also done to address the decline in fisheries production by encouraging fishermen to plant more seaweeds and to improve fisheries production, Alcala said.

“We should give our seas the time to rest for a while so that we can gain more in the future. For example, taking good care of 10 kilos of 'Tamban' could equal to 27 kilos of fishes in the future. We can double our production, with excess already,” he said.

Last year, the Philippines scored a record-high first quarter growth performance since 2004 with the increase of 4.1 percent production output.*PNA

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