Favorable planting conditions allowed vegetable farmers, such as those planting tomato and cassava, to increase their production in the third quarter by as much as 4 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
In its latest report, titled “Performance of Agriculture,” the PSA said mongo production during the July-to-September period reached 1,500 metric tons (MT), 4.17 percent higher than last year’s 1,440 MT.
“The availability of rehabilitation seeds from the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office contributed to the increase in area planted in Cagayan Valley. Higher demand was also observed in Caraga,” the PSA report read.
Mongo output in January to September rose by 4.33 percent to 32,260 MT, from 30,920 MT recorded last year.
PSA data also showed tomato production in the third quarter expanded by 2.72 percent to 27,220 MT, from last year’s 26,500 MT. In January to September, total tomato output rose by 4.54 percent to 190,670 MT, from 182,380 MT a year ago.
“An uptrend in production was noted for tomato with this year’s 2.72-percent increase. In Northern Mindanao, there were additional plantings as more farmers were encouraged to cultivate the crop due to higher demand from the Visayas and Metro Manila markets and the seeds support from the local government units,” the PSA said.
Data from the PSA also showed the production of cassava during the three-month period grew 1.93 percent to 608,070 MT, from 619,830 MT recorded a year ago.
Increments were also noted in peanut and sweet potato production. Peanut output expanded by 1.64 percent to 3,710 MT, while sweet potato production went up by 1.72 percent to 136,250 MT.
The PSA said eggplant and cabbage production recorded declines during the period. Cabbage production in the third quarter fell by 5.05 percent to 17,100 MT, from last year’s 18,010 MT. The PSA said this was due to the decision of cabbage farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region to plant other crops, such as potato and radish.
“This was aggravated by the decrease in yield because of clubroot disease that was brought about by excessive rains,” the PSA added.
Data from the PSA also showed eggplant production in the July-to-September period reached 39,060 MT, 4.87 percent lower than the 41,060 MT recorded a year ago.
“The 4.87-percent drop in eggplant production was attributed to the drop in yield in Calabarzon, where farms were adversely affected by Typhoon Maring. In addition, frequent rains during flowering stage and occurrence of stem and fruit borers were reported in Central Luzon,” the PSA added.