Natural disasters to keep agri sector weak – NEDA

The agriculture sector is expected to remain sluggish, given its vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said on Friday.

 

In his opening remarks at a symposium on climate change in Mandaluyong, Balisacan said natural disasters and the impact of climate change will continue to affect the sector.

 

“This scenario will greatly impact nearly one-third of the total labor force that is dependent on the agriculture sector,” Balisacan noted.

 

“More importantly, the country’s targets for food security, malnutrition, employment, and poverty reduction, which are significant components of the sustainable development goals or the SDGs will be more difficult to achieve,” he added.

 

The total damage from natural causes to agricultural commodities, facilities, and irrigation from 2010 to 2013 totaled P219.6 billion, Balisacan noted, citing data from the Department of Agriculture.

 

Of the total, P195 billion was caused by typhoons, P15.7 billion by droughts, and P8.9 billion by floods.

 

“Particularly for agriculture commodities, the value of the estimated damage dramatically increased starting 2009,” Balisacan said, noting the higher number stronger typhoons hitting the country.

 

These include Typhoons Pepeng (international name: Parma) in 2009, Sendong (Washi) in 2011, Pablo (Bopha) in 2012, Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, and Glenda (Rammasun) in 2014.

 

“This year, the sector is yet again confronted with another climate change phenomenon, the El Niño, which is likely to primarily affect agricultural production."

 

Balisacan, however, noted the symposium could serve as a venue to present findings and recommendations to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

 

The presentations in the symposium will cover an analysis of the country’s agriculture sector, a discussion on the economic impact of climate change, and policy recommendations to enhance resiliency against these risks.

 

Baliscan also said that the outputs from the event may prove useful in formulating the country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in time for the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of Parties 21 in Paris this December. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News