Farm output in the Philippines increased in the first six months of 2009 following government efforts to raise crop production and as the livestock sector recovered from the grip of various diseases, according to a news report.
The harvest of unhusked rice — the Philippines' main crop — rose 3.59% to 7.38 million metric tons with Manila aiming for 17.81 million metric tons this year. Corn, however, suffered a 2.27% decline to 3.22 million metric tons.
Output for crops such as bananas, coconuts, peanuts and cassava also increased, the government announced. Fisheries were up 4.9%, poultry grew 4.13% and livestock rose 2.42%.
