DA considering 18.5 million MT target for palay output in 2017

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking at a target of 18.5 million metric tons (MT) for unmilled rice this year, which it said was an adequate output level to support moves towards self-sufficiency in the staple grain.

The proposed target suggests some growth from 2015 and significant growth from 2016 levels. Rice output in 2016 was set back by the lingering impact of El Niño in the first half as well as typhoons late in the year, after the target was initially set at 19 million MT for unmilled rice, or palay, and later lowered to 18.5 million MT.

“We need to target 18.5 (MT). That’s in line with our self-suff iciency level,” according to engineer Roy M. Abaya, director of the DA’s Field Operations Service in an interview.

Mr. Abaya said that the target is not challenging considering that the 18 million MT mark was nearly breached in 2015.

Self-sufficiency in rice is targeted by the DA leadership in two years.

Mr. Abaya said that 2016 production, as projected by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), will be “a little less” than 2015’s.

Palay output in the first six months of 2016 dropped to 7.65 million MT from 8.32 million MT a year earlier. Third quarter output was 2.97 million MT, up 16.35% from a year earlier.

The PSA projects output of unmilled rice at 17.91 million MT in 2016, down 1.30% and also 3.19% below the 18.5 million MT target of the DA revised as of November.

Christopher V. Morales, director at DA’s Field Operations Division, in a phone interview, said that El Niño earlier in the year and typhoons Karen and Lawin in the fourth quarter will have an impact on palay output for 2016.

Meanwhile, agricultural losses resulting from typhoon Nina which hit the country in December may be factored in for the sector’s performance in the first quarter of 2017.

Based on farmers’ “planting intentions,” PSA forecasts palay output for the first quarter to increase by 12.27% to 4.42 million MT.

Palay has accounted for more than a fourth of the total value of agricultural production since at least 2013, according to PSA data. —