The agricultural sector faced significant challenges in the third quarter of 2024, as adverse weather conditions and the ongoing impact of African swine fever (ASF) led to a 3.7 percent decline in the value of production, which fell to ₱397.43 billion compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. attributed much of the downturn to the combined effects of El Niño and La Niña, which particularly affected palay (rice) production, a key crop in the country’s agricultural output. Palay production dropped by 12.3 percent year-on-year, contributing to a 5.1 percent overall decline in the crop subsector, which totaled ₱211.62 billion.
“Undeniably, the combined effects of El Niño and La Niña weighed down palay production, a major contributor to the crop sector, which accounts for more than half of the value of agricultural and fisheries output,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel. To address these challenges, he pointed to ongoing efforts to implement changes in the rice cropping calendar and build infrastructure such as water impounding dams, aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on farming.
The fisheries sub-sector also struggled, with the value of production contracting by 5.5 percent year-on-year to ₱55.48 billion, reflecting the broader challenges posed by weather disruptions.
Meanwhile, the livestock subsector, hit hard by the persistent ASF crisis, saw a decline in hog production by 8 percent. As a result, the value of livestock output decreased by 6.7 percent to ₱61.67 billion. However, Secretary Tiu Laurel noted that the Bureau of Animal Industry, in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration, is actively working to develop an effective ASF vaccine, a long-term solution to the disease that has devastated the hog industry since its initial outbreak in 2019.
Despite the setbacks, there were some positive trends within the sector. Corn production saw a modest 1.3 percent increase in value, while poultry output rose by 5.8 percent, reaching ₱68.66 billion for the quarter.
The agricultural sector, which remains a critical component of the Philippine economy, continues to face the dual challenges of climate volatility and animal disease outbreaks. However, efforts to adapt through infrastructure development and disease control initiatives offer hope for recovery and growth in the coming quarters.
