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Negros Occidental’s output of more than 1 million metric
tons for crop year 2002-2003 accounts for nearly half of the
country’s sugar production in an industry that generates an
estimated annual revenue of more than P18 Billion. There are
12 sugar mills in the province, of which only 10 are
presently operational. Victorias Milling Company has the
highest rated capacity with 15,000 tonnes cane per day.
However, the
volatility of the sugar industry forced the province to
shift, albeit slowly, to other high value crops and
alternative industries. The diversification has proven to be
successful. Production of rice, the basic commodity for food
security, has been increasing. By 2003, annual output of
437 thousand metric tons of palay was 33% better than two
years ago. This allowed the province to significantly raise
its sufficiency level from 65% to more than 84%. The
improvement could be attributed to the introduction and
promotion of hybrid rice, which increased rice yields to 3.8
metric tons per hectare. Because of the success of the
program, area planted to hybrid rice has increased nearly
five-fold. The highest hybrid yield was recorded at 10.3
tons per hectare.
Corn also
registered increasing gains. Production for 2003 of 42
thousand metric tons outperformed 2001 output by 18%.
Average yield per hectare has also grown by 18%. Other
fruit and vegetable crops, except for banana and cassava,
likewise improved their harvest. Harvested coconut was
placed at 139 million nuts, while production of banana;
fruit and vegetable crops totaled 110 million kilograms.
Livestock and poultry are industries where Negros Occidental
has strongly diversified.
With the province
successfully quarantined from the dreaded Foot & Mouth
Disease and the Bird Flu, and with other endemic diseases
under control, total production of livestock and poultry in
2003 of 49 thousand metric tons exceeded estimated local
demand by 18%. Fishing is likewise an industry where the
province has remained focused. After all, 9 of its cities
and 16 of its municipalities are located along the coast and
a great portion of the population depends on fishing for
their livelihood.
The area for exploitation
by this industry is huge covering most of the coastal areas
and the rich fishing grounds of the Visayan Sea on the
north, Sulu Sea on the south, Tañon Strait on the east,
Guimaras Strait and Panay Gulf at the southern portion of
the province. These rich coastal areas and fishing grounds
continue to be generous to the people of Negros Occidental.
In 2003, products from deep-sea fishing, municipal marine
and inland waters, and aquaculture reached 87 thousand
metric tons, 30% better than 2001 production.
The province is rich in
mineral deposits. Minerals that abound in the province are
primary copper with estimated reserve of 591 million metric
tons and gold ore with estimated reserve of 25 million tons.
Silver and molybdenum deposits are also abundant, as well as
non-metallic minerals suitable for agricultural and
industrial uses. Notwithstanding its great potential, the
mining industry in Negros Occidental has remained virtually
dormant since the biggest copper mine in Sipalay suspended
its operation.
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Food
And Agriculture
