Some subsectors of Philippine Agribusiness
A. Processed Fruits and Vegetables
Natural Resources
- Abundance of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in the country that are generally cheaper during peak season.
- Readily available secondary inputs such as sugar, salt, coconut oil, corn oil, etc.
Technology that Supports the Industry
- Production process mostly manual to semi-mechanized using locally designed and fabricated production machinery and equipment.
- Fully automated production line in the production of dried mangoes, fruit purees, fruit cocktails/ mixed fruits and fruit juices.
Strong Support from Government/Industry Association
- Support from the government through designation of brand management teams to supervise the export promotion of the sector.
- Existence of agriculture programs that involve the following:
- Fertilizer and other inputs (fertilizer subsidy program and promotion on the use of organic fertilizers);
- Availability of irrigation systems and 2,158 km. of farm-to-market roads;
- Extension and education, R&D and training;
- Loans, guarantee and insurance coverage;
- Dryers and other post-harvest facilities; and
- Seeds of high-yield and sturdy crops
Support Industries/ Infrastructure
- Availability of post harvest handling and storage facilities.
- Establishment of cold chain facilities.
- Presence of dynamic industry associations.
B. Seaweeds
Natural Resources
- Philippine seaweeds highly diversified among the flora in Asia-Pacific regions with more than 800 species recorded in the Philippines.
- Major commercial seaweeds are Eucheuma, Kappaphycus, Gracilaria spp. and Caulerpa lentillifera. Other seaweeds with economic importance include Codium, Gelidiela acerosa, Halymenia, Porphyra and Sargassum spp.
Ideal Locations
- Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which registered the highest production among all regions with 683,084.33 metric tons, followed by Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) with 450,937.17 metric tons and Region IX with 225,057.24 metric tons.
- Availability of large marine areas potential for seaweed farming in said locations
C. Tropical Fruit Purees and Juices
Natural resources
- Abundance of a variety of Philippine tropical fruits for processing that is generally cheaper during peak seasons.
- Increase in Crops Production
- Annual fruit crop production increased by an average of 8%.
- Average annual production growth rate: banana - 10%, pineapple – 5% and mango - (–4%).
- Average annual production growth rate: papaya - 6%, calamansi – 2% and watermelon - (-1%).
D. Fresh Tropical Fruits
Natural resources
- Suitability of climate and soil fertility to growing tropical fruits.
- Availability of vast tracks of agricultural land.
Technology that supports the industry
- Banana. Tissue-culture technology is now being used in the industry to prevent fruit diseases and improve yield. This technology involves growing banana culture in a laboratory until they are ready for transplant into the field.
- Pineapple. A new technique for growing export-quality pineapple was discovered early this year. This technique involves control in the application of Nitrogen and Potassium fertilizers in soil, which helps improve the height, length and width of the pineapple plant’s leaves.
- Mango. The combination of spraying and smudging has proved to be a more cost-effective means for flower induction compared to the usual practice of purely using potassium nitrate spray.
Support industries/infrastructure
- Availability of post-harvest facilities and other logistical support facilities
- Irrigation projects by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
Human Resources
- Number of graduates in Agriculture: 15,980 in 2008
E. Mango Seed Oil
Natural resources. Fresh mangoes are abundant in the country. Thus, there is an abundant supply of mango seed especially from fruit processing plants.
Technological Support. Process used is manual, semi-mechanized and mechanized systems using internationally designed and fabricated production units.
Support industries/infrastructure
- Availability of post harvest handling and storage facilities.
- Establishment of three cold chain facilities in three major producing areas: Benguet, Cebu, Bukidnon.
F. Fisheries
Advantages in location
- Existence of large and ideal pockets of production areas.
- Year-round fish production.
- Quality manpower resources - Large pool of fishery graduates, multi-skilled, and computer literate manpower
- Cheap labor cost - Regional minimum wage = US$5.00/day
- Presence of Fishery Research Institutions
Support to the industry
- Construction and upgrading of support fishing infrastructure that includes fish landing, post harvest and handling facilities (Navotas Fish Port Complex in Metro Manila is the country’s premier fish landing and training center).
- Proposed establishment of a new fish ports in other locations.
- Fish seed production and distribution.
- Construction / improvement of municipal fish ports.
- Conduct of production and post harvest-related research activities
- Operation and management of Fisheries Research Training and Oceanographic Vessel.
- Establishment and maintenance of Mariculture Parks / Zones.
- Establishment and maintenance of hatcheries.
- Value-added products formulation.
Other sectors:
Sugar Plantation >>
Dairy >>
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The Philippine advantage in agribusiness:
- Big labor force that is highly skilled, educated, English proficient and with strong and good work ethics.
- The country, being an agricultural country, has many readily-available farm workers who are very knowledgeable on the details and technicalities of farming in the Philippines.
- Contract growing scheme is the most common industry arrangement in the Philippines.
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