Philippine agriculture bounces back

26 May 1999

Philippine agriculture bounces back

PHILIPPINE agriculture is set to recover strong this year after suffering one of the worst years on record last year, reports the Financial Times.

Agricultural production is forecast to expand by 3% to 4% after falling by 6.6% last year as a consequence of prolonged drought caused by El Niño.

Public spending has been raised on agricultural support by building roads from farms to market roads and in irrigation, rural credit and post-harvest facilities.

Agricultural production rose by 2.6% in the first quarter although the crops sector, mostly corn and unmilled rice, grew even faster at 6.05%.

• Financial Times 26/05/99 page 36