MANILA— Stronger livestock and poultry production helped temper the decline in Philippine agriculture and fisheries in the third quarter, as falling rice and corn harvests dragged overall production value down 5 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The value of agricultural and fisheries production dropped to P389.42 billion in July to September, measured at constant 2018 prices, from the same period a year earlier, the PSA reported Friday.

Crop production, which accounted for 51 percent of total output, declined 9.3 percent to P197.71 billion, with palay and corn bearing the brunt of the contraction.

The value of palay production plunged 18 percent, while corn fell 17 percent. Rice output dropped to 3.08 million metric tons, while corn production declined to 2 million metric tons.

Rising fertilizer and other input costs weakened farmers’ planting intentions, while floods brought by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, damaged agricultural production.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the stronger performance of other subsectors could help support the industry’s recovery as the Department of Agriculture (DA) prepares for a potentially severe El Niño.

The agency has allocated P62 billion for a response program aimed at protecting agricultural production and livelihoods through technology, innovation, targeted interventions, and coordination with other government agencies.

“We have mapped out a P62-billion El Niño response plan that will leverage new technologies, innovations, targeted interventions, and collaboration with various government agencies to mitigate the impact of the climate risk on agriculture,” Tiu Laurel said.

“And the DA will not do this alone. This El Niño plan will be carried through a whole-of-government approach,” he added.

Livestock production increased 1.1 percent to P61.17 billion during the quarter, accounting for nearly 16 percent of total agricultural and fisheries output. Hog production alone grew 1.9 percent.

Poultry posted a stronger expansion, with production value rising 4.9 percent to P79.67 billion, representing about 21 percent of the sector’s total output.

Combined, livestock and poultry contributed nearly 37 percent of agricultural and fisheries production, helping offset the contraction in crops.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Christopher Morales, who oversees the Rice Industry Development Program, called for greater investment in water management infrastructure to prepare for the threat of a potentially super El Niño.

Morales identified water impounding dams and solar-powered irrigation systems as among the measures needed to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage water resources during extreme weather conditions.

“Water management infrastructure will not only help us cope with droughts but also allow us to store excess water during La Niña episodes,” he said.

Agriculture contributes about 8 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product and employs one in every four Filipinos.

Food expenses, meanwhile, account for nearly 40 percent of the average Filipino household’s spending, making food affordability an important consideration in inflation and monetary policy.