WV agriculture sector stable amid obstacles
The Department of Agriculture 6 said the agriculture sector in Western Visayas has been very resilient in 2010 despite various setbacks.
Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales said the sector has been generally stable and managed to reach its goals despite calamities, pest infestations brought about by climate change, and El Niño.
Nacionales said that agriculture commodities such as high value commercial crops (HVCC), vegetables and even corn have reached their production goal despite problems in the planting season.
He said that 2010 has been a robust year for the livestock industry, particularly swine. Local swine growers have provided more than enough meat for the region’s growing consumers and exported some to Manila and Boracay Island.
Livestock, including poultry and aquaculture had positive growths this year, he said.
Nacionales said the region had good performance for this year, except for the slight decrease in the rice sector. Still, rice farmers were able to produce enough rice for the region’s daily consumption but this is lower compared to last year’s yield.
He attributed this to pest infestations, late planting due to irrigation problems and El Niño.
Nacionales, however, said that despite these minor setbacks, Western Visayas was still able to contribute a large agricultural share of percentage in terms of output in the national level.
He hopes that the region would be able to surpass its production output next year, he added.*PNA
