MANILA - The Philippines' agricultural output in 2005 rose only 2.24 percent, missing the official target of 3.0-4.0 percent due to drough, the government said yesterday.

The Department of Agriculture blamed the lower-than-expected growth to a mild drought brought about by the El Nino phenomenon in the early part of 2005. Farm output rose 5.1 percent in 2004.

The crucial crops sector, which includes staples like rice, corn and sugar, grew by only 0.48 percent in 2005, the department said in a statement.

This sector accounts for 47 percent of total agricultural output with livestock, poultry and fisheries accounting for the rest.

Agriculture, which makes up a fifth of the domestic economy, posted 3.3 percent year-on-year growth for the last three months of 2005, the department said.*AFP

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