FOOD PRODUCTION

   Rice. The National Food Authority maintained a high level of accomplishment in terms of palay procurement. The Authority was able to procure a total of 809,412 bags for the quarter with over 50 percent from Camarines Sur. The accomplishment could be attributed to the massive campaign of the Authority to procure palay up to 30 percent moisture content and Phh1, 800.00 incentive fertilizer fee for every 50 bags delivered by farmers. The average prevailing ex-farm price also settled at Php13.57 per kilogram which was lower than the agency’s support price of Php17.00 per kilogram.

   In terms of rice prices, the average prevailing price of well-milled rice declined from Php33.17 in the third quarter to Php29.73 in the fourth quarter. The price of regular milled rice declined from an average price of Php29.19 to Php25.53. The decline could be attributed to the abundance of NFA rice in the market through the accredited market outlets and deployment of rolling stores in depressed areas.  This decline has significantly increased the buying capacity of the consuming public.

 

   Fisheries. Compared to the same period last year, there was an increase of 4.73 percent in the fisheries production.

 

   The impact of the continuous occurrence of red tide in Sorsogon was neutralized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through the implementation of various fishery projects in the previous quarter which provided alternative livelihood to affected fishefolks. The projects included the Mariculture Projects at Bacon District and Magallanes, Sorsogon, and the establishment of 14 seaweed seed banks and nurseries in 14 municipalities in Sorsogon.

 

   The Bicolmail reported (20 November 2008) that according to BFAR Regional Director Dennis del Socorro, the Sorsogon Bay has been seriously affected by red tide toxin for three years now which has gravely jeopardized the source of livelihood of the local residents, especially the fishermen. The high red tide toxicity level in the area is an effect of climate change. Following this concern, the Provincial Government of Albay issued executive order prohibiting the sale of mussels or tahong in the province of Albay due to the death of three children and the hospitalization of 37 others after eating the shellfish sold in the markets of the third district of the province which were believed came from Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon where shellfish ban was issued by BFAR in early October. PNP Checkpoints were also set up to prevent the entry of banned shellfish and ticung (botete of puffer fish) in the province.

 

   In Masbate City , Crown B Agro-Development and Management Incorporated made a Php35-million investment on aquaculture project last October. The project is envisioned to create more employment and increase the aquaculture production in the city.

 

   The regular interventions undertaken by BFAR were the following: (1) seeding of communal bodies of water with tilapia and shrimp fingerlings; (2) dispersal of seaweed seedlings; (3) establishment and maintenance of seaweed nurseries; (4) intensification of enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations; (5) conduct of regulatory services and legislative assistance to LGUs; (6) conduct of market development and credit facilitation services; (7) assessment and validation of areas for agricultural/aquaculatural development; and (8) conduct of training and technical assistance on aquaculture technologies, post-harvest, law enforcement and other aspects.

 

   Initiatives conducted by the Province of Catanduanes on fisheries development included the conduct of trainings and other related activities on the establishment of seaweed nursery, mariculture project, fish sanctuary, crab center, and advocacy and law enforcement.

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