Agriculture Business Week

Philippine agriculture expanded by 4.19% in the first three quarters of 2008, with the crops subsector, consisting primarily of palay and corn, emerging as the top growth driver for this period, Secretary Arthur Yap said yesterday.

In terms of value, the agriculture sector grew 22.23% higher than its 2007 performance for the same period, grossing P836.3 billion at current prices, Yap said in citing the official report of Director Romeo Recide of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). Yap said the crops subsector, which accounted for 47.73% of the total agricultural output for the January-September period, grew 6.1%, with palay production rising by 7.22% and corn production by 4.86%. The subsector grossed P458.5 billion at current prices or 30.38% higher than the 2007 record for the same period.

With a 13.82% share in agriculture production for the first nine months of 2008, the poultry subsector posted a 4.8% hike in output, mainly due to the increase in chicken yields. In terms of value, poultry registered a 12.03% increase compared to last year’s level, with its output priced at P90.1 billion, Yap said.

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Posted on January 5th, 2009 under Special Report. Tags: 2008, Growth, Philippine Agriculture, Philippines. Comments: None

Our agri-products are moving from its doldrum state to a vibrant vista.

The big leaps in the of price of commodities worldwide have opened new opportunities for Philippine agriculture. The old adage that new problems bring new opportunities can be seen in the supply and demand of commodities like rice, corn, sugar, coconut oil, among other food items that we abundantly produce locally.

Brought about by, improving economic life styles, and the continuing multi-use of products away from basic food lines to new (and substantial) demand for bio-fuel affecting corn, sugar, and coconut, our agri-products are moving from its doldrum state to a vibrant vista.

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Posted on November 11th, 2008 under Special Report. Tags: Philippine Agriculture. Comments: None

The DA has become more bullish about pushing the development of markets for agribusiness. This has led many to believe that the next three years will be better for Filipino farmers and fisherfolks.

Two months ago, DA Secretary Arthur Yap delivered an extemporaneous speech to the farmers and fisherfolks of Florida Blanca, Pampanga during the formal launching of pangasius, the fish from Vietnam which, experts say, could be the next alternative to tilapia and bangus. The speech highlighted the DA’s resolve to fu fill its promise of providing food for every Filipino table by 2010. The following translated excerpts of Secretary Yap’s speech would reveal why, despite the current political problems, observers believe, things will turn out better for Philippine agriculture in the next three years.

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Posted on July 29th, 2008 under Special Report. Tags: Philippine Agriculture. Comments: None

Challenges and prospects for 2008 Commodity Highlights

Palay. Growth will continue to be moderate with the increased adoption of modern productivity technologies promoted through the GMA Rice Program as area harvested will basically stay the same. The higher budget for rice production will also be a plus factor for the sector’s growth. The PAGASA’s forecast indicates the start of a weak to strong La Nina which will likely last until early April of 2008. This can be good for production depending on its severity. A number of international agencies have indicated that there may be tight supply in 2008 with increased trade due to strong consumption. Rising demand and tight supply will keep world rice prices high.

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Posted on July 26th, 2008 under Special Report. Tags: Climate Change, Coconut, Corn, Economy, Philippine Agriculture, Rice, Sugar. Comments: None

Philippines has been blessed with abundant graces of vegetables and fruits, fresh meat and fish.  But the production will come into ashes if we do not know how to handle them properly. Quality preservation, particularly, during transport and storage has always been a problem among farmers and traders.

The high value commercial crops (HVCC), in particular, can be a good source of income for the farmers.

In the northern part of the country, vegetables requiring cold temperature have shown great market value.  Among these vegetables are lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, parsleys, bell pepper, celery and carrots.  However, poor postharvest practices lead to the enormous postharvest losses that hindered agricultural productivity and profitability.

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Posted on July 22nd, 2008 under Technology. Tags: Philippine Agriculture. Comments: None

Today’s trend in Philippine agriculture and fisheries is commercialization.  Is there such thing when it comes to agriculture and fisheries (A/F) mechanization?  I would probably say, “Yes” and experts in the field also would agree with me that there is such thing as commercialized mechanization.  What do we mean by commercialized mechanization or commercialization of A/F mechanization? At first, we ask the question like, what is this all about? Is there such thing as mechanization? Or to be more specific, what is commercialization of agriculture and fisheries mechanization?  These questions would probably solicit a great deal of argument and discussions because not all are into mechanization.  People may probably direct their views on specific areas like programs, activities, technologies, interactions and impacts to be part of this discourse.

In order to set direction, this article is written to illustrate that there is such thing as commercialization of agriculture and fisheries mechanization.  However, opinions and views on the subject matter will be treated with utmost flexibility in order that we encourage participatory discussions among key players in the field.  As a start, I post the question -  Is Commercializing A/F Mechanization Program the next Step to competitiveness or business activity? My reviews and search would lead me to say, a strong “YES.” Let me now convince you to share my thoughts coming from the perspective of a social scientist and development oriented practitioner.

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Posted on July 21st, 2008 under Technology. Tags: Philippine Agriculture. Comments: None