THE Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) targets to boost the agricultural sector in the island next year.
Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, Minda executive director, said while the agricultural sector has remained strong this year, the growth was not that big, as compared to other sectors.
Lopoz said that production is one of the main focus of the agency for next year as part of their 4PS (People, Productivity, Poverty Reduction, and Peace) Program.
"We will be drilling down specific projects that will complement major infrastructures, and policy intervention in the supply side. One of them is boosting the agricultural productivity," she said on Wednesday, November 27, during the Habi at Kape press conference at Abreeza Ayala Malls.
She said among the programs that they had already laid down to support this effort are the water supply project and the solar power irrigation, which she said could help boost the agricultural production of plant and animal raisers.
"Agriculture is still growing. But the growth is not that big. Secretary (Emmanuel) Piñol said there is so much potential (in the agriculture sector) but it needs more boost. That is why we're drilling for more agri-support projects," Lopoz said.
She said based on the Gross Domestic Product of the Philippines (GDP) Highlights for 2018 of the Philippine Statistics Authority, agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (AHFF) only contributed 0.9 percent from the country's overall GDP of 6.2 percent.
Manufacturing; Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Personal and Household Goods; and Construction were the main drivers of growth for the year.
She added that labor and tourism sector is also thriving.
Lopoz said boosting agriculture sector is also included in the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan, which aims to make recent developments and projects aligned in the island’s development towards 2030.