Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry, which accounts for 19.1 percent of total GDP, contributed 0.6 percentage point to total GDP growth. 

Agriculture

Drought brought  about by the El Nino reduced palay production in the first quarter of the year. Palay slid by 0.8 percent compared to the 8.7 percent growth recorded a year ago. The prolonged dry spell damaged major production areas in Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and SOCSKSARGEN, reducing the harvest area of palay.

On the other hand, most of the other major crops reported upturns in production. Corn led the crop gainers with a hefty growth of 22.0 percent from 2.9 percent last year. Availability of good seeds as well as the  favorable weather conditions enhanced crop growth during the period. Sugarcane grew by 18.8 percent from the previous year’s 10.3 percent due to increased harvest areas in noted in North Cotabato, Luzon and the Visayas. Banana production, likewise,  went up by 3.7 percent from 2.2 percent due to expansion in harvest areas and strong export demand. Coconut output recorded a minimal growth of 0.4 percent relative to the 8.5 percent growth last year.  On the other hand, Other crops declined by 1.4 percent from 3.7 percent a year ago as lower production was noted in pineapple, mango, coffee and cassava, among others.

Livestock and poultry expanded by 3.9 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.  Growth in Livestock was attributed to increased inventory of animals (except cattle) and improved dairy production. Meanwhile, increments in broilers and chicken eggs production hiked Poultry output during the period.

Fishery

Fishery production weakened during the first quarter of 2003 with a meager growth of 0.4 percent, compared to the 5.5 percent growth in the same period last year. Commercial and municipal fishing output grew by only 3.64 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively. Aquaculture, on the other hand, shrank by 2.5 percent due to decreased output from fishponds and reduced seaweed production.

Forestry

Forestry production dropped by 50.0 percent during the quarter from a higher negative growth of 79.0 percent a year ago due to lower harvest from plantation forests.

GROSS VALUE ADDED in AGRICULTURE, FISHERY & FORESTRY
1st Quarter 2003 and 1st Quarter 2002
AT CONSTANT 1985 PRICES, IN MILLION PESOS

Source: National Statistical Coordination Board

Posted May 29, 2003