That is why the poultry industry is considered a major contributor to the country’s farm output. In the first quarter, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that it accounted for 16 percent of agricultural output.
What was pleasantly surprising about the latest data on farm output is that the poultry subsector buoyed the sector’s performance in January to March.This is because the crops subsector, which accounted for nearly 58 percent of output in terms of value, contracted by 0.3 percent. The poultry subsector practically prevented the agriculture sector from slipping into negative territory in January to March, when El Niño had already started to unleash its fury in local farms.
While the hot weather torched crops and prevented fishers from increasing their catch, a senior research fellow from government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies told this newspaper that investments made by commercial poultry growers in technology shielded their flock from the ill effects of El Niño. This investment may have been initially costly, but they are now reaping the gains.
The experience of commercial poultry growers underscores the importance of investing in technology and innovation to increase food production and eventually shield consumers from price spikes. The continued reliance on old methods of food production will not help the cause of the country to achieve food security. Unfortunately, the country’s spending on research and development is still miniscule at less than 1 percent of gross domestic product.
It would do well for the government to step up its investments in technology and other innovative means of raising agricultural output to achieve food security. Sans these investments in technology and R&D initiatives, the Philippines will be hard pressed to reduce waste and improve the productivity of farms. Worse, the failure to raise incomes by improving agricultural productivity will continue to discourage the youth from going into food production.