Agribusiness

   The region’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture. With limited land and physical resources, an over-increasing population is putting pressure on the region’s agricultural economy. The region is located in the typhoon belt which greatly affects the agricultural productivity.  In the late part of the year, Bicol region was hit by several typhoons which greatly damaged agricultural crops and agricultural facilities. 

Grains Production

 

   In CY 2007, the region’s palay production increased by 11.6 percent over the production output in 2006. Likewise, corn production increased by 36.48 percent. The province of Camarines Sur remained the top producer of rice which contributed more than 50 percent of the total regional rice production output. Average yield was pegged at 3.39 metric tons. The positive performance of the grains sector may be attributed to the interventions of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DARFU)5 through the Quick Turn Around (QTA) Planting Scheme and the use of certified seeds by the farmers. Under the Hunger Mitigation Program, 28,101 bags of certified seeds were distributed to 22,331 farmers covering 28,101 hectares and the provision of 112,404 Bio-N packets as an input to the rice location specific intervention program. On the Modified Rapid Composting, techno demonstrations were undertaken at 60 sites covering 300 hectares with the provision of 1,500 bags of organic fertilizers. 81 technical trainings were conducted for an effective transfer of the technology to rice farmer beneficiaries. Another equally important activity was the clustering of rice areas. Under this program, a total of 288 rice cluster areas were mobilized, 9 adaptability trials on hybrid and inbred seeds conducted and 20 model farms of Palayamanan established benefiting 191 farmers.

 

   Supportive to the corn program, 2,400 bags of hybrid seed subsidy were distributed to corn cluster areas through conversion of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) areas to Hybrid corn areas. The promotion of organic fertilizer was also undertaken which resulted to the distribution of 4,000 packets of Bio-N to 800 farmers covering 800 hectares. Pest and diseases surveillance were also conducted. A total of 5,005 hectares of corn areas were monitored and gave proper recommendation to 1,883 farmers. Control operations in 212 hectares infested with Corn Plant Hopper were done. On Farm Mechanization and Post Harvest, one unit of 4WD tractor was awarded to Ligao City and two units under negotiations in Albay and Camarines Sur. Likewise, one mechanical dryer is under negotiation in the province of Albay. A proposal for the construction of Post Harvest Processing and Trading Center at Goa, Camarines Sur is still for validation and evaluation. There are six on-going researches being conducted by the DARFU 5 namely: adaptive fertilizer trial and soil test collaboration in major corn areas; efficacy of organic fertilizer on corn yield; field evaluation of seasonal occurrence, infestation, distribution and alternative host of corn hoppers; characterization of production areas using STK; product advancement trial on corn hybrids; and evaluation of Bio-N as substitute for nitrogen requirement in corn and other upland crops.

 

High Value Commercial Crops

 

   Pineapple production posted a 5.9 percent increase in 2007. Likewise, vegetable production grew by 14.8 percent or 13,011.5 metric tons over the 2006 level. Mango and coffee decreased its output by 14 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively. Under the HVCC program, 513 hectares of new lands were developed for pili, pineapple, mango and coffee which generated 514 new jobs. During the year, there were 7 Foundation Scion Groves being maintained with a total land area of nine hectares with 1,236 mother trees of pili, mango and assorted fruit trees which serve as source of quality planting materials. Likewise, 5 nurseries and 3 green houses were maintained that produced and distributed quality seeds and planting materials with a total of 2,928 farmer recipients.

 

   For agribusiness and marketing, DARFU provided assistance to 545 individual farmer/entrepreneurs and 33 farmer organizations through Market Access and Development. Ten national and local trade fairs and mission exhibits were conducted, assisted and participated for the promotion of High value Crop products of the region which resulted in exportation of 11.5 metric tons of Queen Pineapple to Korea. Likewise, the J. Emmanuel Pastries was adjudged as the National Outstanding HVCC Processor  (Food Category)and has forged marketing contract with Japanese Farm. It was able to export 1,250 kilograms of pili delicacies valued at PhP1.25 million. More so, four Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) were established in the different parts of the region.

 

   Related activities of the HVCC program were 3 Farmers Field School(FFS)on vegetables established, 19 packages of technology trainings conducted and 15 Staff Development Training participated. These were in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

 

Commercial Crops

 

   Abaca fiber production performed poorly in 2007 as it was still in the process of recovering from heavy damage by the typhoons in 2006. The aggregate bailing output of the region recorded 102,199 bales registering a decrease of 24.91 percent compared to the same period in 2006. The province of Catanduanes remained the top producer of abaca fibers.

 

   Supportive to the abaca industry, Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA)5 was able to maintain 31,795 experimental sites and genebank in Sorosogon and Camarines Sur. During the period, a total of 87,854 plantlets were produced and 34,327 planting materials were distributed to 12 recipients. Likewise, 1,110.59 hectares of new agribusiness lands were developed involving 987 farmers.

 

   Equally important interventions undertaken by FIDA 5 were extension support, education and training services. Under this, two technical trainings on abaca production were conducted, two radio and one TV guestings. On research and development services, a total of five FIDA-funded researches were conducted. Under the regulatory services, a total of 102,459 bales were certified and inspected and 909 permit to transport (PTFs) and 198 licenses to fiber trade participants were issued. On market development services, nine buyer-seller market linkages were facilitated involving the sale of 31,200 kilograms of S2 and all-in fibers including 10 kilograms of abaca tinagak amounting to PhP1,187,251.00.

Table 2.1 Abaca Production by Province, Bicol Region, 2006-2007

                 Source: FIDA 5

   The year 2007 proved to be a challenging year for the coconut industry. Despite limited resources, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)5 through its partnership with different stakeholders accomplished its tasks for the year.

 

    The series of typhoon in 2006 greatly reduced the area planted with coconut and worsened the production performance of the surviving palms. There were 439,288.36 hectares affected by the typhoons representing 67.4 percent of the total coconut area in the region.

 

   For the year under review, a total of 10,370.49 hectares of coconut lands were developed which generated 10,370 jobs.

 

   One of the major tasks of the PCA 5 was the planting and replanting program. For 2007, a total of 2,429.71 hectares were planted with coconuts which involved 3,095 farmer cooperators. For inter-cropping program, 7,408.34 hectares were planted with different crops which benefited 9,475 farmer cooperators.

 

   Another equally important task of the PCA 5 was coconut rehabilitation through fertilization. There were 532.44 hectares of coconut plantation fertilized during the period.

 

   Under the Bicol Coco Coir/Geotextile Grid Program, ten strategic sites were identified. Project briefings and presentations were conducted in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. A MOA was forged among DARFU 5, LGU Basud, Camarines Norte and the Basud Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) Federation for the SAIS-BC project. The Copra Quality Improvement Project was funded by European Union-Philippines Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Program which was able to award two kukum dryers which produce quality copra to COCOLINE Network.

 

Livestock

 

   The Bicol Region was declared locally as foot and mouth disease (FMD)free zone by strictly enforcing quarantine rules and regulations in the quarantine posts in Matnog, Pilar and Bulan, Sorsogon and Tabogon, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte. Continuous surveillance and monitoring was undertaken in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs). Also, Avian Influenza Prevention Program was continuously pursued through organization of six municipal Avian Influenza (AI) Task Forces and conduct of region-wide briefing with 520 participants. DARFU 5 also distributed 1,940 brochures and 880 posters and collected and submitted 492 serum samples for analysis.

 

    On the control of animal disease, a total of 26,153 dogs were vaccinated. 102,561 heads of large animals were vaccinated with Hemorragic Septicema,Hog Cholera, Newcastle Diseases and 23,263 heads of animals were dewormed benefiting 22,351 farmer-owners.

 

Fishery

 

   Comparing the performance in 2007 against 2006, the performance in all fishery groups was positive (Table 2.2). In the fishery sector, only aquaculture exceeded its target by 38.26 percent.

Table 2.2 Fishery Production by Type, Bicol Region, 2006-2007

Source: BAS 5

   In the year under review, about 10 million fingerlings were produced from the eight Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)5 farm facilities. Of this fingerling production, the largest volume was given for free to fish farmers and some were stocked to communal waters, sold to farmers, used for research and utilized for other projects.

 

   Another equally important activity of BFAR 5 was the distribution of 761 fishing gears to fisherfolks, maintenance of one regional seaweed nursery demo farm and establishment of 21 seaweed nurseries. These resulted in the distribution of 18,950 kilograms of seaweed seedlings to the different parts of the region. Likewise, mariculture parks at Sangay and Ragay, Camarines Sur were maintained.

 

   There were 116 trainings conducted on aquaculture, post-harvest, law enforcement and other aspects of fishery which had total of 3,165 participants. Re-organization, strengthening and institutionalization of FARMCs were also undertaken.

 

Programs/Projects

   One of the programs implemented by DARFU 5 was the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). Under this window, a total of 28 projects were submitted for funding. Out of submitted projects, 4 were approved with a total project cost of PhP42.2 million. These are the following: 

1. Tunnel Ventilation Housing System Poultry Project – PhP11.2 million

2. Integrated Formosa Pineapple Processing Project – PhP5 million

3. Ragay Prawn Hatchery Project – PhP11.5 million

4. Swine Expansion/Upgrading Project – PhP14.5 million

   Another project was the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (InFRES).  A total of 14 local government units (LGUs) availed of this project. Eight were on the pre-construction stage, five on the construction stage and one was completed.

   In response to the needs for the rehabilitation of the agriculture and fishery sector, PhP335 million was allocated to the region under the Bicol Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE). Of this amount, PhP344.42 million was obligated: 59 percent for farm-to-market roads; 5 percent for post-harvest facility; 18 percent for farm machinery/equipment; 2 percent for small-scale irrigation systems; and 15 percent for farm inputs, extension support and other infrastructure.

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