Palay, corn harvest to grow 10% – PSA

The country’s production of palay (unhusked rice) is seen to grow 10 percent this year on improved yield and better climatic conditions.

Based on the latest crops outlook of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), palay output may reach 19.4 million metric tons by yearend, higher than the 17.6 million MT recorded a year ago.

According to the PSA, harvest area may expand six percent and yield may improve to 4.03 MT per hectare from the 3.87 MT per hectare per harvest last year.

For the fourth quarter alone, production based on standing crops is projected to rise 6.3 percent to 7.45 million MT as substantial increment is anticipated in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordilleras.

“This may be attributed to the sustained use of highyielding varieties coupled with sufficient water supply and rainfall during the early stages of crop development,” PSA said.

While harvest area may contract by one percent, yield per hectare is seen to grow six percent to reach 3.99 MT per hectare.

Corn production is also expected to improve 10 percent to 7.92 million MT.

Harvest area is forecast to expand to 2.55 million hectares, 2.64 percent higher than last year.

Yield may rise to 3.11 MT per hectare, up seven percent despite the foreseen decline in production in the last quarter of the year.

This will be offset by the improvement in yield per hectare of 1.26 percent to 2.88 MT.

PSA said production may decline in Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen and ARMM.

Possible decrement in harvest area may be due to inadequate supply of seeds and the often occurrence of rains which may affect plant growth in some areas.

“Some farmers are hesitant to plant due to rat infestation and delay planting caused by heavy rains and the shifting of crop from corn to squash, string beans and okra in Central Luzon and watermelon and squash in Western Visayas,” PSA said.