Rice Production
Rice output in Bicol region rose to 1.02 million metric tons in
2009, up 2.56 percent from the 997,581 metric tons in 2008,
according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The DA-Bicol
office in Pili, Camarines Sur said the region sustained the
growth of the rice sector through the active support of some
dynamic local executives who put their stake in the sector and
through sheer determination and industriousness of the Bicolano
farmers.
Marilyn Sta. Catalina, DA’s regional technical director for
operations and Bicol’s rice program coordinator, said 313, 762
hectares were planted to rice in 2009, an increase of 23,044
hectares over 2008.
Fisheries
Six mariculture zones in the region, three in Sorsogon, two in
Camarines Sur and one in Masbate, covering a total area of 1,705
hectares, were opened by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) to investors, corporations, cooperatives and
individuals who are into the highly profitable fish cage
culture, BFAR regional director for Bicol Dennis del Socorro
said in a press statement. The objectives of these projects are
to promote mariculture as a major livelihood venture for coastal
fishermen that would result in the acceleration of
socio-economic growth and food security by way of providing for
infrastructure, equipment and support services that allow
fisherfolk to operate cost-effectively under a secured
environment.
