Farm sector records flat growth in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - Farm output rose 6.35 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 from a year earlier, helping narrow the sector’s full-year contraction to only 0.12 percent or representing a flat growth for 2010.

However, for this year, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the farm sector, which accounts for a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product, is expected to stage a rebound and post a growth.

Alcala and Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Director Romeo Recide were interviewed by reporters on the sidelines of the Bureau of Plant Industry’s 81st anniversary yesterday in Manila.

According to Recide, the farm sector suffered setbacks last year due to the drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon in the first half and by typhoon Juan in the third quarter.

A strong performance in the fourth quarter was not enough to wipe out the losses in the first three periods ending in a flat growth for the full year by the sector.

Barring any major weather disturbance, Alcala said the agricultural sector should be able to recover and post a growth this year.

According to Recide, huge losses ion the crops sector pulled down the overall farm growth.

Minimal growths were posted by the fisheries and livestock’s sub-sectors which both expanded by one percent while the poultry sub-sector turned in slightly better performance with a growth of around three percent.

Alcala’s optimism for a recovery this year is based on a good standing crop at the start of the year.