From inq7.net
Poor 4th quarter performance due to typhoons
By Christine A. Gaylican
Inquirer
Last updated 09:13pm (Mla time) 01/07/2007
THE COUNTRY'S agriculture sector was estimated to have grown by 4.7 to 5 percent in 2006 despite the damaging effects of the consecutive typhoons in the third and fourth quarters.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said in an interview that the sector's growth would be within this range though the fourth-quarter results, which are still being finalized, have not been very good due to the typhoons.
"Full year growth in 2006 will not be lower than 4 percent. This is within government's target," Yap said in an interview.
He noted that the agriculture sector contributed significantly to the economic growth in the first nine months of 2006 and only slowed in the fourth quarter. He gave credit to the programs instituted by his predecessor, Domingo Panganiban, who lobbied for the early release of irrigation funds worth P2 billion in the first quarter.
"Early harvests done by farmers during the third quarter saved a lot for the sector, but the export-oriented seaweed industry was devastated by the storm Milenyo [international codename: Xangsane]," he added.
The seaweed industry is expected to take a hit of at least $10 million as strong waves wiped out production facilities during that time. Yap said these facilities were now being rehabilitated.
Economists are keeping a tight watch on the agriculture sector as it still accounts for a fifth of the local economy. Government production data will be ready by the third week of January, officials said.
According to the Bureau of Agriculture Statistics, despite the typhoons that hit the country, farm sector productivity in January to September grew 4.9 percent to P218.6 billion from P208.4 billion in the same period last year. In terms of volume, farm output grew 5.4 percent to 59.6 million metric tons from 56.6 million MT a year ago.
Crops accounted for P102.4 billion, up 5.8 percent from P96.8 billion. In terms of volume, crops rose 5.5 percent to 53.7 million MT.
Palay production increased by 9.7 percent to 9.5 million MT, while corn output shot up 15.7 percent to 4.8 million MT. This was due to more harvest areas, early rainfall, continued use and expansion of the adoption of hybrid and quality seeds, sufficient water and increased fertilizer application.
+++++
I went to CvSU yesterday and had a fine time with Edel, Jethro, Raymond, Felix, and Joy. Happy new year to you!