MANILA, Philippines - Palay production increased 5.5 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to the National Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture.
In an interview with radio station dwIZ over the weekend, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and rice program coordinator Dante Delima said that palay output in the first quarter of the year reached 4.50 million metric tons against a production level of 4.24 million metric ton in the first quarter of 2012.
The government is now encouraging farmers to plant during the dry season to rake in 60 percent of the annual production target before the onset of the rainy season when typhoons that routinely enter the country destroy vast areas of palay cultivation areas.
The Philippines aims to produce another record harvest of more than 20 million metric tons this year after producing more than 18 million metric tons in 2012.
The country also intends to export between 50 and 100 metric tons of premium rice this year in various countries to gain a foothold in the export market.
This level will be gradually increased to reach 300,000 metric tons in 2016 to match the volume of rice that enter the country under the minimum access volume.