La Niña to boost farm output in second quarter

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects the La Niña phenomenon to help boost the farm sector’s performance in the second quarter, but projections will still be lower than last year’s level.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the farm sector may grow by around four percent in April to June, the same forecast for the first quarter.

“We are in the dry planting season and with La Niña, even the upland areas will have enough (water). We expect greater growth in the crops sector since prices are also better,” Piñol said.

 The DA earlier said the La Niña phenomenon would unlikely be detrimental to farmers even after the state weather bureau warned of above normal rains and slightly warmer than average temperatures until May.

Above normal rainfall is forecast over Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, all in Luzon; Basilan, Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat as well as in Davao region, all in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, below normal rainfall is expected over Luzon in March, while near to above normal rainfall will prevail over the Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA (Philippine Athmosperic Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) said La Niña would also bring slightly warmer than average surface temperature in most parts of the country in the coming months.

However, the second quarter forecast is still expected to be slower than last year mainly due to the effects of the typhoons that hit the country at the tail end of 2017.

Last year, the farm sector surpassed government targets as it grew 5.28 percent in the first quarter compared to the two percent projection, and expanded 6.18 percent in the  second quarter versus the five percent forecast.

“We have to understand that profitability is always the best motivator for productivity. For this year, we expect more farmers to plant and expand their areas because of the improved prices,” Piñol said.