By Mary Grace Padin
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday it will not scale down its target of growing farm output by 3.5 percent this year despite the onslaught of El Niño.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the country’s “distinct” advantage in the livestock subsector, as well as efforts of the government to pursue “hybridization” of crops, will drive farm growth this year.
“[We are maintaining our growth target] of 3.5 percent. Although we know that we have El Niño, the effects of the drought have been minimal, so far,” Alcala told reporters on the sidelines of a forum held in Manila on Wednesday.
According to him, the damage of El Niño to the country’s rice sector has not been as extensive as initially feared. Initial estimates indicate that the dry spell destroyed 203,000 metric tons (MT) of paddy rice, lower than the projected 970,000 MT.
The DA chief credited this to efforts of the government to encourage farmers to use high-yielding hybrid seeds.
“In our hybridization program, we do not collect the payment from the farmers. So that means the money is being collected by their respective farmers’ organizations to be used for their production again,” Alcala said.
“If we could add some more budget for the hybridization for the next cropping, that is a very good source of growth,” he added.
Alcala said the country’s livestock subsector will help prop up farm output this year.
For one, he said, the Office Internationale des Epizooties has certified the Philippines as bird-flu free and foot-and-mouth disease-free. Alcala said this could boost efforts of chicken and pork producers to access export markets.
Meanwhile, Alcala said the DA is now drafting documents that will be turned over to the next administration. These documents, which include recommendations from farmers and fishermen, will ensure that the implementation of programs will not be disrupted.
He also said the DA could include a recommendation to prepare for La Niña, which could affect the country in the second semester of the year.
“[La Niña] will be part of the turnover papers for the next administration. In case a La Niña occurs, [the paper will cite] the possible problems the next administration could face and our suggested plan of actions. It is up to the next administration if they will follow our recommendations,” he said.
Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad earlier said El Niño has already damaged P9.9 billion worth of crops.
Image credits: Mau Victa