The Philippines’s agricultural sector reported a 1.27 percent dro in production in the second quarter of 2019, mainly due to a decline in the output of the crops sub-sector. For the first semester, the farm sector declined 0.24 percent, a reversal of the 0.63 percent growth recorded in the same period last year.

Crops, which accounted for the bulk of total agricultural production, declined 5.7 percent with palay (unhusked rice) and corn decreasing 5.8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively.

Decline in the production of major crops such as coconut, sugarcane, banana, and cassava was also noted. Production gains, however, were recorded in other crops such as pineapple, mango, tobacco, abaca and rubber.

Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the sector’s performance only shows how much more needs to be done to improve the industry.