Bumper corn, palay yields sustained in 2007 — Yap

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap yesterday predicted sustained bumper harvests of palay and corn in 2007 due to the government’s intensified interventions in palay and corn production.

Yap said palay and corn yields are likely to reach 3.78 million metric tons and 1.74 million metric tons, respectively, in the first quarter of 2007.

Citing official data, Yap estimated that from January to March 2007, the total palay output would hit nearly five percent more than this year’s production of 3.56 million MT, and corn harvests, 13.6 percent more than this year’s 1.53 million MT.

"Palay and corn farmers are bullish on even more favorable harvests in the first quarter of 2007 at the least in anticipation of the heightened support from the DA-GMA (Department of Agriculture-Ginintuang Masaganang Ani) rice and corn programs, and easier access to hybrid and in-bred seeds that promise higher yields," Yap said in a statement.

According to Yap, the total area planted to hybrid palay has expanded from 12,550 hectares in 2001 to 288,953 hectares this year.

On the other hand, the total area planted to hybrid corn increased from 400,000 hectares in 2001 to the current 800,000 hectares.