Crops, which accounted for 58 percent of total production, recorded a 1.6-percent year-on-year drop that Agriculture Secretary William Dar blamed on "spiraling prices of fertilizer." It accounted for 14.1 percent of the quarter's total farm output. Similarly, the fishery subsector (12.9 percent of total output) contracted by 5.8 percent. Speaking at a forum on Wednesday, Dar said the government needed to distribute more fertilizer subsidy vouchers for farm output to recover. Dar expressed optimism that output would improve in the second quarter as the Department of Agriculture continues to implement its banner programs.

Source: Manila Times May 12, 2022 08:44 UTC