Normin corn output recovers in 2Q, palay production up by 36%

Corn production in Northern Mindanao has recovered from the ill-effects of El Niño phenomenon during the second quarter of 2017, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region reported Tuesday

Corn output during the quarter was recorded at 66,163 metric tons (MT), up by 211.79 percent from the 21,220 MT production in the second quarter of 2016.

Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, chief economic development specialist of NEDA-X, said the growth was mainly due to sufficient rainfall, more usage of fertilizer, and availability of hybrid and modern open pollinated variety (OPV) seeds.

Bukidnon was the biggest corn producer contributing 44,791 MT or 67 percent of the total regional corn production followed by Lanao del Norte sharing 21 percent or 14,150 MT.

The value of white corn production for the quarter stood at P227.8 million, up by 34 percent, year-on-year. Despite the 14 percent reduction in the average farm gate, the 55 percent increase in volume was more than enough to raise the value of white corn production The value of yellow corn production, on the other hand, grew by 332 percent to P440.1 million due to the 477 percent growth in production volume.

White corn production during the quarter was recorded at 20,745 MT while yellow corn at 45,418 MT.

Meanwhile, the volume of palay produced during the same quarter reached 136,331 MT, higher by 36.8 percent from the 99,644 MT recorded in the same quarter last year.

All the provinces in the region, except for Camiguin, posted increases in production.

Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte were still the top producers contributing 69,546 MT (51%) and 41,893 MT (31%), respectively.

Clarete said the increase in Bukidnon’s production was attributable to sufficient irrigation water and rainfall, complemented by the government’s hybrid seeds subsidy.

For Lanao del Norte, the growth was mainly due to more plantings in rainfed and upland areas. Seed assistance and usage of fertilizer through the “plant now, pay later” scheme availed by farmers in Lala also contributed to the province’s production growth. (PIA-10)