Palay output to hit 12.9-M tons this year

The Department of Agriculture projected yesterday palay (paddy rice) output to hit 12.9 million metric tons this year, up from an earlier projection of 12.7 million tons and much better than last year’s actual production of 12.39 million metric tons.

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor attributed the favorable output to good weather and government’s timely interventions in terms of credit, certified seeds, irrigation and other planting necessities.

Montemayor said the farming sector was also highly motivated by the special attention accorded to it by the President – through her having held office at the department occasionally.

He said the agriculture sector is expected to sustain its strong performance for the whole year, as predicted earlier by the National Economic and Development Authority.

For corn, Director Romeo Recide of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reported that output will increase by 1.7 percent to 4.58 million tons, up from 4.51 million tons in 2000. This is because of the 2.2-percent rise in yield (per hectare) as a result of better seeds under the government’s production program, enough rainfall and lesser damage to corn crops by pests and diseases.

Montemayor said the DA has launched a massive campaign to convince rice farmers to use certified seeds and practice synchronized farming. The agency also provided irrigation to rice producing areas, he said.

He also directed National Food Authority Administrator Anthony Abad – as former chairman of NFA – to fasttrack the provision of support services to farmers, through better prices for their palay.

He said all these positive developments indicate that the system instituted under the Ginintuang Masaganing Ani program have borne fruit. "This time, we should ensure higher yields and that farmers get increased incomes," he said.

This year’s "record breaking" production stems from the anticipated output for the last year, estimated at 4.98 million tons, up 9.9 percent from its level last year of 4.53 million tons and 16.8 percent, more than the 4.26 million tons recorded in 1999, Montemayor said.