Agricultural Sector

• The Philippines is an agricultural country

• Many of its citizens still live in rural areas and
support themselves through agriculture
• It deals with cultivating the soil, harvesting crops,
and raising livestock
• It is made up of four sectors: farming, fisheries,
livestock, and forestry
Main Agricultural Crops
• Rice
• Corn
• Coconut
• Sugarcane
• Bananas
• Pineapple
• Coffee
• Mangoes
• Tobacco
• Abaca
Abaca
Importance of Agriculture
A. Dollar Earner
- The Philippines exports its agricultural products
around the world like the USA, Japan, Europe,
and ASEAN countries.
- Agricultural products which are of export quality
help the country to earn more dollars which can
be used in buying materials, and machineries
that our country needs.
B. Supplier of Raw Materials
- If the country has an abundant supply of raw
materials, the industries can afford not to import
and the country can save money
- The raw materials help the industries in carrying
out their activities
Example:
1. Abaca Fiber – used in handicraft products
2. Coconut – used in producing soap and oil
Coconut – “Tree of Life”
C. Consumer of Industrial Products
- It consumes the finished products of the
industries
- Some of the industrial products are machineries,
chemicals for pesticides, and fertilizers
D. Provide Employment
- Many workers depend on agriculture for a living
- The bulk of employed persons belongs to
agriculture or farming, hunting, and forestry
- The staple food of our country like rice comes
from this activity
Agricultural Concerns/Problems
A. Environmental Damage
- Coral reef destruction
- Pollution of coastal and marine resources
- Mangrove forest destruction
- These problems are caused by negative actions
of man
B. Land Conversion
- From agricultural land into golf courses,
industrial parks, residential subdivisions, and
resorts
- Small land owners find it more profitable to sell
their land to developers in exchange for cash
C. Lack of Capital
- Sufficient capital is needed in buying modern
machineries and equipment for farming and
fishing
- Without the needed capital, farmers and
fishermen cannot do anything and the future of
the agricultural sector is at stake
D. Insufficient Structure
- Marine products like fish, prawn, crabs, and
seafood cannot be kept longer because of lack of
storage facilities
- Agricultural products are damaged and rotten
before reaching their destination
- No specific place and equipment for storing
harvested palay
- Irrigation is not sufficient
- The roads and bridges are dilapidated so
transport of products is delayed
E. Competition from foreign products
- The influx of foreign agricultural products to the
local market competes with the local agricultural
products
- Local products has high production cost
- Foreign agricultural products are more saleable
F. Lack of modern equipment and technical
know-how
- Farmers cannot afford to buy modern equipment
because of high taxes
- They used old and worn-out equipment
- Shortage of rice supply in the market is the result
of low quality of seed stock used in farming
G. Widespread animal diseases and epidemic
- Animals die because of the diseases and
epidemic caused by bacteria and viruses
- The diseases directly affect the production in
agriculture and also affect the lives of the
farmers and fisherman
H. Land reform laws are not fully implemented
- The earnest dream of a farmer is to have a land
of his own
- Most farmers do not have their own land
- They till the land for the landlord
- Farmers lose their initiative to improve and
increase their production because they are
aware that the landlord profits more
 ENSURE

AGRICULTURE should always be given enough

attention by addressing its needs and alleviating
the suffering of the farmers.
 SEATWORK
1. Why is agriculture important? Cite at least 3
importance and elaborate.
2. In your own opinion, what is the most
pressing problem of agriculture? Explain why.
(5 sentences)

*Submit your answers to the Messenger account

of your teacher.