Growth in Philippine agricultural production slowed to 1.5% in the first 9 months of 2009
In the first nine months of 2009, growth in Philippine agricultural production slowed to 1.5%
The Philippine Department of Agriculture said on November 16 that from January to September this year, growth in Philippine agricultural production slowed to 1.5% from the same period last year, because recent strong typhoons caused severe damage to crops and infrastructure and led to crop failures.
Agricultural officials said that in the third quarter of this year, Philippine agricultural output grew by 1.55% year on year, slower than the 3.25% growth in the same period last year. The strong typhoons made it very difficult for the Department of Agriculture to achieve the earlier full-year 2009 growth target of 3%. Because of the severe damage from the typhoons, full-year growth may not even reach 1.5%.
In the first nine months of this year, Philippine rice production increased by 2.9% to 10.89 million tons, while corn production increased by 0.76% to 5.59 million tons.
Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of the Philippines' gross domestic product, but employs nearly four-tenths of the workforce. Rice is the Philippines' main staple food, accounting for about 19% of the country's total agricultural production.
The damage caused by the typhoons to crops and agricultural infrastructure is estimated at as much as 24 billion pesos.
Agricultural officials said that in the third quarter of this year, Philippine agricultural output grew by 1.55% year on year, slower than the 3.25% growth in the same period last year. The strong typhoons made it very difficult for the Department of Agriculture to achieve the earlier full-year 2009 growth target of 3%. Because of the severe damage from the typhoons, full-year growth may not even reach 1.5%.
In the first nine months of this year, Philippine rice production increased by 2.9% to 10.89 million tons, while corn production increased by 0.76% to 5.59 million tons.
Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of the Philippines' gross domestic product, but employs nearly four-tenths of the workforce. Rice is the Philippines' main staple food, accounting for about 19% of the country's total agricultural production.
The damage caused by the typhoons to crops and agricultural infrastructure is estimated at as much as 24 billion pesos.