Lower palay, corn output seen in H1

MANILA, Philippines - Rice and corn production for the first half is seen to decline due to the continued dry spell and the effects of last year’s typhoons.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said palay (unhusked rice) output for the first six months could reach 8.2 million metric tons, down by 1.48 percent from the 8.32 million MT recorded last year.

Harvest area is also forecast to decrease by almost two percent to 2.02 million hectares.

The projected decrease in Cagayan region could be attributed to flooding brought by Typhoon ‘Nona’ last December, insufficient rainfall and late release of irrigation water supply.

PSA also expects unrealized plantings due to insufficient water supply in Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque, Iloilo as well as the shifting to vegetable production in Ilocos Norte.

“Probable reductions in production are expected in all regions except Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Calabarzon, Caraga and Davao region,” PSA said.

Palay output for 2015 reached 18.15 million MT, 4.31 percent lower than the 18.97 million MT a year ago while harvest area also went down by 83,445 hectares or by 1.76 percent.

Corn production, on the other hand, is projected to decline by 0.17 percent to 3.37 million MT this year due to lower yield in Nueva Vizcaya.

Intense heat and insufficient rainfall will also likely result to lower area and yield in parts of Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Central Luzon, as well as the shifting to vegetables in Camiguin, and pineapple and cassava in Misamis Oriental.

Corn production in 2015 reached 7.52 million MT, 3.24 percent below the 7.77 million MT output the previous year. Harvest area also contracted to 2.56 million hectares from 2.61 million hectares.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, El Niño phenomenon is expected to reach its peak in the first quarter with effects to be felt by 85 percent of the Philippines until the latter part of April.