The country’s exports of agriculture and fishery products ballooned to $1.31 billion in the first quarter of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) show a 12 percent mark-up compared to a revenue of $1.17 billion in first quarter of 2019.
The biggest agri-fishery product earners were banana, pineapple, virgin coconut oil, canned tuna, and tobacco.
The DA is determined to sustain and further push forward the agri-fishery production of the country in the coming months. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the agency will not only help attain food security but will boost export performance and will provide employment to Filipinos as well. The agency expressed optimism the agri-fishery production will further rise in the second quarter which is the main harvest season of the country.
For its part, the NFA has been procuring palay yields of local farmers nationwide to further assist farmers affected by the pandemic. The NFA has currently procured 2.680 million bags of palay.
NFA Administrator Judy Dansal said more than 400 warehouses and buying stations will open seven days a week to assure and accommodate all palay deliveries. The acquisition of palay will also be maintained at reasonable prices while ensuring a rising buffer stock of rice to be used for COVID-19 relief operations.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared the opening of the fishing season in the waters of Zamboanga Peninsula, and advised fishermen to take advantage of the good weather while observing safety and health protocols. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
