Cebu still relies on other regions re agri products

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu, having a trade-reliant economy, has remained to be a net importer of agriculture products to feed its rising population.

Cebu has long been dependent on other regions for the supply of its farm products because its production cannot suffice what the population needs.

Anna Barimbao, senior agriculturist at the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas, said the region’s agriculture sector has so far performed well this year but still needs to import agricultural products.

"Only that the supply coming from our agricultural areas can't really feed the population for the entire Region 7," the DA official said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

"We remain to be a net importer from Luzon and Mindanao," she said.

The products that Cebu import from other regions include rice, corn, vegetables and other crops.

"In terms of production we are increasing but we need to import to meet the demand," she noted.

While farm production is coping up with rising demand, the region’s livestock sector has continued to see a stable growth.

"Our livestock sector has always been performing good," she said, offsetting the region’s limited farm output.

The agriculture sector in Central Visayas — composed of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor — made a big rebound in 2017, growing 7 percent as production increased and few calamities hit the region last year, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Barimbao maintained a positive prospect on agriculture growth in the region this year unless natural calamities would hit.

Weather agency PAGASA had predicted an El Niño phenomenon could threaten the country by end of this year or early next year.

The phenomenon, if it hits badly, could dampen farm production and growth of the industry.

Aside from typhoons, El Niño is threatening agriculture growth this year and next.