Reviewing NorMin's Agriculture Statistics

THERE is one statement which provokes one to ponder , and perhaps argue with one's inner self . I am referring to this line "Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own."Definitely it is highly philosophical, but it is akin to another quotation which says : “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands."

If we were to reflect the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP)  for 2011-2016 it states that “Agriculture is the bedrock of the rural economy. Agriculture is the major source of raw resources on which the rest of the economy depends. It accounts for 20 percent of the grossnational product, or one-fifth of the economy, while one-third of the population is employed inagriculture or agriculture-related industries."

However, there are several italicized lines from the MTDP which deserve one's contemplations such as the following statements describing our harvests: ... not enough to ensure long-term sustainability... not enough to improve overall rural welfare ...apparent lack of strategic focus of programs and projects.

However, contemplating is certainly not enough. We need statistics to support our plan. For instance, if we were to look at the population count as of the last census 2010, statistics will tell us that in Region 10 alone, we have a total population of 4,297,323 with a growth rate of 2.06. Translating this to mouths to be fed, we have to determine how many sacks of rice will be needed. This will bring us to this fact: "On the average, per person will consume two sacks of rice in one year.”

This is the reason why the Census on Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) is deemed vital, for it will give us the information on how many farmers do we actually have in the Philippines, what is the size of their farm, do they own or rent the land, what crop or livestock or fishery product do they have and so on.We need data for agricultural and fisheries development in making meaningful decisions in the utilization of related resources, as basis for making production projections, as well as in measuring the progress in agriculture and fisheries.

Recalling the latest results of the CAF 2002, the number of farms in NorMin increased by 10.3 percent from 289.5 thousands in 1991 to 319.157 thousands in 2002.This is attributed to the large increase number of farms in Misamis Oriental. However  the total area of farms in the region decreased by 2.8 percent during the period mentioned. Moreover, the average size of farms decreased from 2.7 hectares per farm in 1991 to 2.3 hectares per farm in 2002. Agricultural Iand comprised 52.2 percent of the region's total land area.

Corn, which was grown in 175.6 thousand  farms with a total of 371.8 thousand hectares, was the major temporary crop in NorMin 2002. However, the area devoted to corn had decreased by 18.1per cent, that is, from 453.7 thousand hectares in 1991. The next major temporary crop was palay covering 103.3 thousand hectares in 52.5 thousand farms. In terms of number of trees /vines/hills, pineapple was the most important permanent crop in the region with 30.8 million hills as reported by 7.3 thousand farms. Pineapple was dominantly planted in Bukidnon due to the presence of Del Monte Pineapple Plantation. For other provinces, the top permanent crop planted  varies. Coconut was abundantly planted in Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental while banana in Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.  

Nevertheless, we have to remember that Mother Earth is not the same Mother Earth that we used to have. Because of man’s abusive acts, Mother Earth is no longer that kind that kind that “you can just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest.” The impact of climate change on agriculture could result in problems with food security and may threaten livelihood activities upon which much of the population depends. There is so much to be done, if we were to be serious in addressing our plan to make each and every  Filipino profitability productive. Thus, it is our hope that the statistics we bring to the nation planners after the CAF will not only improve our agriculture economy , but will also help in the cultivation and perfection of the human race. 

Posted in: Press Release