Palay output likely dwindled 15% in Q3

MANILA, Philippines - Palay production is seen to have declined in the third quarter because of insufficient water supply caused by the prevailing dry spell, pest infestation and damage caused by typhoons, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

In its latest report, the PSA said palay production could have reached 2.58 million metric tons in July to September, 14.8 percent lower than the 3.03 million MT produced in the same period a year ago.

The harvest area is also seen to have contracted from 658,090 hectares to 656,910 hectares while yield per hectare is expected to have remained at 3.93 MT per hectare.

 PSA attributed the probable decline in production to insufficient water supply caused by the dry spell experienced in the provinces of Maguindanao, South Cotabato, Sorsogon, Tarlac, Rizal, Bohol and Surigao del Sur.

The infestation of stem borer insects likely reduced the yield of palay crops in South Cotabato and North Cotabato.

The adverse effects of Typhoons Egay and Hanna in Negros Occiental as well as Typhoon Ineng in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur likely reduced harvest areas and decreased yields.

Typhoon Lando, the latest weather disturbance to hit the country, likewise inflicted significant damage to palay crops.

The rice subsector sustained the largest value of damage among farm subsectors with loses placed at P7.09 billion equivalent to 463,692 MT of produce. Out of the 335,885 hectares affected, 317,063 hectares could still recover.

The National Food Authority met yesterday to decide whether or not to import an additional one million MT of rice for next year on top of the 500,000 MT already contracted for arrival in the first quarter of 2016.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has urged farmers to immediately replant using the seeds provided by DA regional offices for replacement planting so they can harvest in time for the start of the new year. 

Corn production for the third quarter, meanwhile, is expected to have reached 2.43 million MT, lower than the production of 2.45 million MT a year ago. 

The onslaught of Typhoon Ineng in Cagayan, Kalinga and Apayao as well as that of Typhoon Hanna in Iloilo and Negros Oriental reduced harvest areas and decreased output.