Hinihiling na ipagbawal Farm sector seen shrinking by 1.21 in Q1Ibahagi Facebook An international research organization has projected the countrys agriculture output to contract by 1.21 percent in the first quarter of this year. However

the rest of the succeeding quarters is expected to show positive growth as the sector becomes more adapted and innovative.In a report

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Searca director and CEO Glenn Gregorio said the contraction was expected following the series of typhoons that devastated farmlands in November

worsened by the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.Among the industrys subsectors

only the fisheries industry was projected to grow by 3.05 percent. The production of crops

livestock and poultry was forecast to shrink by 1.17 percent

6.33 percent and 3.99 percent

respectively.Despite the positive momentum of the fisheries industry

Gregorio called on the government to improve the industrys logistics and transport system to make it more competitive.With residents of fishing communities remaining one of the impoverished sectors in the country

Searca stressed the need to invest in integrated infrastructure systems to lower production and transportation costs to make fishers more profitable.For livestock and poultry

Searca called on more stringent biosecurity measures to combat viral animal diseases like avian influenza and African swine fever. This would include the use of tunnelvent technologies and surveillance systems.Consumers

in turn

were enjoined to be more aware and supportive of livestock and poultry products that manifest higher quality standards.All told

the frequency of natural hazards and other disruptions must prompt the government to transform agriculture systems to be more resilient.Searca recommended several interventions such as access to climatic and weather data

the use of stresstolerant crop varieties

provision of insurance and technological support as well as the extension of financial capital.masteragcaoili78Bilang ng mga tumitingin