Philippine Agriculture Shows Resilience with Stable Supply Despite Output Decline

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that the agricultural commodity supply remains stable in the Philippines despite a 3.3 percent decline in overall agriculture and fisheries output for the second quarter of 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, the downturn included a significant 8.6 percent drop in crop production, valued at PHP220.04 billion, and a slight 0.3 percent decrease in livestock worth PHP63.33 billion. Conversely, the poultry and fisheries sectors experienced growth, with increases of 8.7 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, contributing to the overall stability of the supply.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa emphasized the adequacy of the rice supply, noting the impact of both local harvests and continued rice imports under lower tariffs. Recent imports in July alone amounted to 150,000 metric tons, part of the 2.49 million metric tons imported since the beginning of the year.

Impact of El Niño and Mitigation Efforts

The contraction in crop output was largely attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, with notable declines in sugarcane, corn, and palay production. De Mesa highlighted the effectiveness of the administration’s mitigation strategies, which helped curtail potential losses. These strategies included PHP14.54 billion in aid to 333,195 farmers and fishers affected by adverse weather conditions. This aid encompassed financial assistance, production support, and the distribution of agricultural inputs.

Furthermore, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. provided PHP452.56 million in indemnities to 56,112 farmers, while 66,039 native animals valued at PHP18.08 million were distributed to bolster local farming capacities. The DA also facilitated PHP99.38 million in Survival and Recovery (SURE) loans to aid recovery.

Future Preparations and Seasonal Adjustments

Looking ahead, De Mesa assured ongoing preparations to mitigate the anticipated challenges posed by the looming La Niña. He expressed confidence in the agricultural sector’s resilience and its ability to rebound, especially with expanded land preparation and harvesting activities expected during the upcoming wet season.