Palay or unmilled rice production and corn output in the second quarter of the year are expected to be higher than in the same period in 2016 as farmers have sufficient irrigation for their crops, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.
The PSA said in a rice and corn situation outlook palay production from standing crops would reach 4.128 million metric tons from April to June, up 11 percent from 3.174 million metric tons on year.
Philippine harvest areas may increase 11.9 percent to 948,610 hectares from 848,000 hectares, while yield per hectare may contract to 4.35 metric tons from 4.38 MT in 2016.
“All regions may possibly have increments in production except Central Luzon. Probable growths in production are expected due to increments in harvest areas resulting from availability of irrigation water/sufficient rainfall during planting period and availability of seeds from Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices and local government units,” said the PSA.
It said palay production in the first half of the year might reach 8.55 million MT, 11.78 percent above the 7.65-million MT output in 2016 as the harvest area might increase from 1.93 million to 2.10 million hectares.
The PSA said corn production in the second quarter, meanwhile, might reach 1.31 million metric tons, up 45 percent from 911,000 MT in the same quarter last year.
The harvest area may increase by 48 percent to 400,000 hectares from 271,000 hectares last year, while yield per hectare may decline by 2.1 percent from 3.36 MT level in 2016 to 3.29 MT
“Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN and ARMM may post significant increments in production and harvest areas. These may be attributed to sufficient rainfall during planting period and availability of high-yielding variety seeds from DA (Department of Agriculture),” the PSA said.
The agency corn production in the January-to-June 2017 period might increase to 3.68 million MT, up 30 percent from 2.83 million MT in 2016. The harvest area may expand 22 percent from 0.90 million hectares to 1.10 million hectares.
Based on farmers’ planting intentions, the July-to-September 2017 production may reach 2.7 million metric tons, up 3.6 percent from 2.66 million MT in 2016.
“Cagayan Valley, Caraga and ARMM may contribute to substantial increments in production. Most farmers are optimistic on early occurrence of rainfall for the cropping season,” said the PSA.
Agriculture and fishery production rebounded with a 5.28-percent growth in the first quarter from a contraction of 4.62 percent a year ago, the PSA said Monday.
The agriculture sector, which accounts for more than a tenth of gross domestic product, is expected to contribute to gross domestic product growth in January to March, after dragging economic performance in the past quarters.
“The 5.28-percent growth of the agri sector could be attributed to the blessings of a good climate and favorable conditions in the farming sector. It is also an indication that we are on the right track in agri and fisheries development,” said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.