AgriNurture gets DA nod to boost corn production

MANILA, Philippines — Listed agriculture trading firm AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) has received the green light from the Department of Agriculture to boost corn production.

ANI was authorized to introduce its rice-corn blend as a healthier alternative for local consumers.

In a letter to ANI president and chief executive officer Antonio Tiu, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA is endorsing and committing funds and technical assistance to the company’s “BigMa” rice-corn blend project.

In a text message, Tiu said the funding support has yet to be finalized but it would depend on how big the plantations would be.

The firm targets to start as early as next month, with Mindanao as the first phase of the project.

Dar said ANI’s proposal to produce and promote the BigMa rice-corn blend in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, and eventually in other regions in the country was a timely initiative as a food resiliency intervention.

Aside from funding support, the DA will mobilize its regional field offices and collaborate with the National Commission on Indigenous People for the detailed planning and implementation of ANI’s proposal.

Tiu said the rice-corn blend has been a staple food in many areas, particularly Visayas and Mindanao.

“With the perennial rice shortage and as different rice exporting countries limit their shipments, rice blended with corn grits is a very good substitute,” he said.

Aside from being healthier and more affordable, corn is cheaper to produce and requires less water to grow compared to rice.

With a similar four-month cycle, corn can be planted anywhere without having to wait for the rainy season.

“Corn is 20 percent cheaper to produce and easier to grow and scale up since the Philippines lacks good water sources. While corn’s traditional yield is only three metric tons per hectare, ANI plans to use hybrid corn seeds to double the yield,” Tiu said.

“With the expected food crisis, now is the perfect time to promote a Visayan staple to other parts of the country in order to bring down the per capita consumption of rice. Planting corn for blending purposes with rice will also spur economic activities in areas with lots of idle labor and unirrigated farmlands,” he said.

The Philippines currently produces 19 million metric ton (MT) of palay (unhusked rice) and only eight million MT of corn annually.