Typhoons slow Phl farm growth in Q1

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Strong typhoons in the last quarter of 2013 slowed Philippine farm growth to 0.67 percent in the first quarter of the year, from 3.11 percent posted a year ago, the local statistics agency said today.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a report that the crops subsector, which accounted for 54.4 percent of agriculture production, grew by only 1.53 percent in January to March.

"The damages caused by typhoons Nari (local name: Santi), Krosa (local name: Vinta) and Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) that fell in the last quarter of the year translated to a decelerated growth in crop production," the PSA said.

Badly affected was coconut production, which posted a 6.1 percent year on year decline in output during the period. PSA said this was largely due to the havoc wreaked by typhoon Haiyan on coconut farms in central Philippines.

Palay and corn-two of the major crops planted in the Philippines-managed to post production increases during the period. Unmilled rice output went up by 3.28 percent on year to 4. 3 million metric tons (MMT), while corn production rose by 1.33 percent on year to 2.3 MMT in the first quarter.

PSA said the fisheries subsector also suffered the brunt of typhoon Haiyan. The subsector's output declined by 3.25 percent year on year.

The livestock and poultry subsectors managed to post minimal gains despite the adverse impact of typhoon Haiyan on farms in central Philippines. PSA said livestock production inched up by 1. 2 percent while poultry output grew by 1.33 percent year on year.