CHAPTER 12  AGRICULTURE

Introduction

 

   The region’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture.  In 2006, agriculture and fishery contributed a total of 33.5 percent to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the region. With limited 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. Other factors that inhibit increased production are: a) lack of farm to market roads; b) insufficient irrigation facilities; c) inadequate flood control and drainage systems; d) layered marketing systems; e) difficult access to credit; f) the absence of Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of LGUs; and g) fragmented landholdings.

 

Situational Analysis

 

   Palay production registered a total of 981,918 metric tons in 2005. This figure represents 94.84 percent accomplishment against the plan target. However in 2006, palay production declined to 888,772 metric tons or 80.4 percent performance over the target mainly due to the effects of the calamities that hit the region in the later part of the year. On the other hand, corn production exceeded by 41 percent and 57 percent over the plan targets in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The increase in corn production may be attributed to the conversion of corn varieties from traditional to high yielding varieties and clustering of corn production areas, most of which were already harvested when the typhoons hit the region.

 

   Average yield in palay production continued to increase from 3.14 metric tons in 2004 to 3.22 metric tons in 2005 and 3.49 metric tons in 2006. The highest yield in hybrid rice in the region was recorded at 310 cavans/hectare/harvest. However, some farmers prefer to use inbred palay seeds since hybrid planting materials are costly. Likewise, corn increased its average yield in the 3-year span. All other crops had reduced productivity levels.

 

   In 2006, a total of 16,702 hectares were developed as agricultural lands (new areas, replanted and inter-cropped) out of the targeted 263,113 hectares. Likewise, a total of 12,315 new jobs were generated in the period under review. The rice sufficiency levels in 2004 and 2005 were recorded at 96.09 percent and 98.54 percent, respectively. However, rice sufficiency level for 2006 dropped to 82.80 percent. This was mainly due to the series of typhoons that hit the region in the late part of 2006.

   Commercial Crops

   In 2005, a total of 1,178,800 metric tons of copra was harvested during the period which represent an 82.05 percent accomplishment. But in 2006, only 46.94 percent was achieved against its target. This may be due to the typhoons that hit the region in the later part of the year. The province of Camarines Sur was ranked 12th among the top 20 provinces that were producing coconut while the province of Sorsogon was ranked 20th. Pineapple and abaca exceeded their targets by 11.04 percent and 4.75 percent respectively, and cassava was able to achieve 81.69 percent accomplishment in 2005. In 2006, commercial crops slightly dropped in performance.

 

   The province of Catanduanes is the top producer of abaca fiber in the country. A total of 15,160 metric tons of abaca fibers were produced in the province, which represented 20.48 percent of the total national production.

 

   Pili being one of the commodity champions in the region will be given priority.  In 2006,  a total of 4,105 metric tons of pili were produced which is 6.66 percent lower than the previous year’s production output.

 

   Likewise, the province of Camarines Norte ranked 3rd among the top 20 producing provinces in the country. It contributed a total of 99,892 metric tons of pineapple to the overall production in the country.

   Livestock and Poultry

   In 2006, the Bicol region had a total of 83,893 heads of cattle; 233,766 carabaos; 826,370 swine; 106,017 goats; 7.7 million chickens and 255,038 ducks. Except for cattle, all other animals had increased inventory against the 2005 levels. Most of the large animals are being exported to other parts of the country.

 

   The development challenge of the agriculture sector is to increase production. This shall be attained through increase in average yield and productivity and the opening of new agricultural lands for high value and exportable crops.  In order to overcome the challenge, there is a need for the construction of agri-related infrastructure facilities like farm-to-market roads, post-harvest and storage facilities, flood control and drainage systems, and provision of rural credit to the farmers. Likewise, the opening of new markets, both local and international has to be pursued.  New and promising technologies suitable to local conditions will be introduced to the farmers. Farmers will be changed from mere producers to entrepreneurs.

The over-all objectives of the agriculture sector are:

1. To increase production and productivity of food crops, feed grains, livestock and poultry;

2. To rehabilitate perennial crop (coconut, abaca, and pili) areas destroyed by the calamities; and

3. To generate jobs and increase farmers’ income.

Strategies

1. Self-sufficiency in food crops will be achieved by increasing yield and area planted and the development/adoption of appropriate farming systems. To minimize the effects of typhoons on farm incomes, multi-storey cropping systems will be promoted in idle lots and mono-cropped coconut areas. Crop and animal insurance shall be promoted. The “National Grains Highway” will be placed in main producing areas particularly in rice and corn cluster communities.

2. Given the comparative advantage of being a bird flu and FMD-free region, the livestock and poultry industry will be expanded and a livestock laboratory for Bicol shall be established.

3. Priority commodities like pili, livestock and poultry will be developed and provided assistance by various national government entities, private sector and local government units.

4. Support services like rural financing and marketing facilities, as well as infrastructure support like irrigation, flood control, and farm to market roads will be provided.

5. Extension services will be improved and strengthened particularly in upland rural areas.

6. Proper soil fertility management including the use of organic fertilizer will be promoted.  The balanced fertilization strategy for rice and corn will be expanded in coverage.

7. Marketing services will be improved through the introduction of electronic information access, e.g., prices of farm inputs and production at farm level will uploaded in the internet. The development of the crops and livestock sub-sectors will be supported by the national government entities, local government units, government financing institutions, and the private sector.

8. Support activities to CARP through the Sustainable Agribusiness Rural Enterprises Development (SARED) program within the KARZones/ARCs for agribusiness development will be enhanced.

9. Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) will be strengthened through the provision of Social Infrastructure and Capability Building Services (SILCAB) with an easy access to credit/microfinance and marketing assistance to increase opportunities for economic growth in the rural areas.

10. The development of  tiger grass (Lasa) as an income generating project will  be given priority.

11. Assistance to cooperatives in terms of livelihood projects will be provided.

12. Information and education campaign (IEC) to farmers on disaster preparedness and pest control & management will be enhanced.

13. Rural women as main workers will be trained on value adding activities in agriculture.

Programs and Projects

1. GMA Rice - The program aims to ensure food security and attain self-sufficiency through growth in yield with the use of hybrid and certified seeds and stabilize the price of palay at a level equitable to farmers and consumers.

2. GMA Corn – The program aims to increase productivity and production of quality corn for human consumption, feeds and industrial uses by increasing average corn yield from 3.21 MT to 5.0 MT per hectare, expansion of area planted to hybrid yellow corn and reduction of post-harvest losses.

3. GMA HVCC – This program provides the directions and framework for harmonizing local initiatives in the production of high value commercial crops. It offers alternative and profitable opportunities to smallholders and lend well to value adding activities and marketing agreements or joint ventures with users and processors. Priority crops for the region include pili, queen pineapple, mango, banana, root crops and selected vegetables.

4. GMA Livestock and Poultry – The program aims to attain growth in livestock and poultry thru increased productivity (disease control and eradication, production of genetically improved stocks), increased production base and protection of local industries. This includes the Dairy Development Program and the Establishment of a Semen and Liquid Nitrogen Product and Processing Center.

5. Pili Development Program - This is a banner program of the region aimed at increasing the production of pili and its by-products for the local and export markets. 

6. Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (INFRES) – This is a project of the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the Department of Agriculture as executing agency. It provides infrastructure in areas where there is potential for sustainable gains in agricultural productivity that will, in turn, lead to increase in rural incomes particularly the farmers and the poor.

7. Coconut Industry Development Program – This involves the comprehensive rehabilitation and development of the coconut industry. The major components are: Coconut Planting and Replanting; Coconut Rehabilitation through Fertilization; Copra Quality Improvement Project; and the Bicol Coconut Coir Production Corridor.

8. Abaca Industry Development Program – This involves the rehabilitation and expansion of abaca producing areas. The major components are: Production/Disposal of Tissue Cultured Abaca Plantlets; Rehabilitation of Unproductive Abaca Areas; and Expansion/Development of New Abaca Areas.