The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) clears the conduct of the Crops Production Survey (CrPS). The CrPS is a quarterly survey that aims to generate basic production statistics for crops, other than palay and corn, at the national and sub-national levels. The CrPS covers more than 280 crops sub-classified under three commodity groupings, namely: 1) Non-Food and Industrial Crops, 2) Fruit Crops, and 3) Vegetables and Root Crops. The commodity coverage by province differs and depends on what each province produces.

The CrPS targets six to 25 farmers-producers and five large farms/plantations per crop per province to collect data on the volume of production, the area planted/harvested, and the number of bearing trees/hills/vines. This survey will utilize a total budget of PhP 39.7 million for one year. The schedule of data collection and release of the CrPS results are as follows:

Meanwhile, key results from the first quarter 2021 were as follows:

a. Production of banana went up by 1.02 percent, from 2.063 million metric tons in 2020 to 2.084 million metric tons during the period. Cavendish banana variety contributed the largest share at 55.5 percent (1.16 metric tons) to the total banana production. Davao region remained the top producer of bananas at 35.5 percent followed by Northern Mindanao at 26.1 percent, respectively.

b. The recorded production of abaca fiber was at 12.68 thousand metric tons which dropped by -15.3 percent from the 14.97 thousand metric tons output in the same quarter of 2020. Bicol Region was the top abaca fiber producer with 4.10 thousand metric tons or 32.3 percent of the total production followed by Eastern Visayas and Davao Region with 17.6 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively.

c. The estimated production of Bermuda onion was at 112.58 thousand metric tons which went down by -17.2 percent from the 135.94 thousand metric tons output in the same quarter of 2020. Central Luzon topped all the Bermuda onion-producing regions with 99.93 thousand metric tons accounting for 88.8 percent of the country’s total output in the quarter, followed by Cagayan Valley and MIMAROPA Region with 7.2 percent and 2.5 percent shares, respectively.

The detailed results of the Crops production survey for the first quarter of 2021 can be accessed at psa.gov.ph/reports-publication.

The 2021 CrPS was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

a. ensure sound design for data collection,
b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents,
c. effect economy in statistical data collection,
d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts, and
e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the farmer-producers of crops to support and participate in the survey by providing the information needed. An authorized PSA interviewer will visit the households to conduct a personal interview.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.