Corn, cassava self sufficiency rate to be boosted by P5.3 billion program

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) targets to make the country’s self sufficiency in corn and cassava hit 81 percent next year on the back of a P5.3 billion program aimed at improving domestic yield.

The DA said it has a proposed allocation of P5.31 billion for its national corn program next year that would distribute high-quality planting materials, fertilizers, training, postharvest machinery and small-scale irrigation projects to farmers.

The program aims to boost production of quality corn, cassava, sorghum and soybean for food, feed and industrial use while empowering farmers and stakeholders with science-based interventions and support services, according to the DA.

“Next year, the Department is targeting the local production of at least 81 percent of total demand,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.

Tiu Laurel said the DA plans to increase yields to 5.17 metric tons per hectare for yellow corn, 2.29 metric tons per hectare for white corn and 11.73 metric tons per hectare for cassava.

“Increasing the production of white corn will provide more options for available food staples, which is essential for achieving food security,” he said.

The agriculture chief emphasized that corn and cassava are relevant commodities for the country’s food security as they are both used in food and feed needs.

Tiu Laurel added that the DA launched the Corn Production Enhancement Project to boost corn productivity, increase income and enhance national corn sufficiency by providing quality seeds and fertilizers to farmers.

“As of August 2024, we have distributed over 1,700 metric tons of corn seeds and nearly 2.9 million cassava seed pieces, along with almost 6,000 metric tons of fertilizers,” he said.

The DA in partnership with the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (Philmaize) recently held a corn congress to discuss the state of the industry particularly the problems ailing domestic production.

“Hundreds of corn growers and stakeholders came together to develop concrete, comprehensive, and inclusive plans aimed to address various challenges facing the corn industry, such as low productivity, low corn prices, limited access to modern farming technologies, and insufficient post-harvest handling and storage infrastructure,” the DA said.

During the event, Artemio Salazar, vice chair of Philmaize and chair of the White Corn Technical Committee, formally turned over to DA the program documents related to the crafting of the Philippine White Corn Industry Roadmap 2024-2029, which will serve as a guide for the sector, the DA said.

“This roadmap aims to promote white corn consumption and increase its supply in the market simultaneously,” it added.