Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has credited rice and corn for the expansion of the farm sector by 5.48 per cent in the first semester, according to Manila Bulletin. Palay (rice) yielded 7.58 million metric tons (MMT) and corn notched 3.31MMT to increase the crops sub-sector's growth to 11.1 per cent. This sub-sector contributed 51.8 per cent in total agricultural output.

The livestock and poultry sub-sectors, which grew by 0.85 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively, also added modestly to the gain of the first half of 2011.

Fisheries dipped by 2.9 per cent, as commercial and municipal fish catch slid during the semester.

The gross value of agricultural output amounted to 706.4 billion pesos (PHP) at current prices, about 16 per cent higher than last year's level.

Among major crops, sugarcane made a full recovery from the effects of a dry spell last year, and grew by 75.6 per cent.

The crops sub-sector grossed PHP411.8 billion at current prices, 31.1 per cent more than last year.

Livestock, which accounted for 15.3 per cent of total agricultural production, registered a 0.85 per cent rise in output this year. Hog output went up by one per cent. Gross value was placed at PHP103.1 billion at current prices, 1.6 per cent lower than last year.

The poultry sub-sector grew by 3.6 per cent, grossing PHP77.8 billion. Production of chicken grew by 3.8 per cent, while chicken eggs increased by 3.5 per cent. The sub-sector contributed 13.4 per cent to total agricultural production.

Manila Bulletin reports that the fisheries sub-sector – which had a share of 19.6 per cent to total agricultural production – dipped by 2.9 per cent during the first semester, as commercial and municipal fish catch decreased by 15.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent, respectively.