Philippine rice output in the first quarter could expand by nearly 13 percent to 4.44 million metric tons (MMT), from 3.93 MMT recorded a year ago, according to the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The latest rice production estimate, however, is 2.1 percent lower than the 4.53 MMT initially projected by the PSA in January, as some palay-producing areas is expected to record slight declines in output.
In the January round of its survey, titled “Rice and Corn Situation Outlook”, the PSA said the probable increase in first quarter rice output is due to the expansion in harvest area. The availability of irrigation water and the use of high-yielding rice varieties would also boost production.
“Probable increments in production are foreseen in all regions, except Calabarzon,” the report read.
However, the latest data in the agency’s report titled, “Updates on Palay and Corn Forecasts”, indicated that typhoons and pests would cut rice harvest in some areas.
“In Iloilo the probable decrease in palay production may be attributed to lower yield as a result of incidence of bacterial leaf blight, rice blast and weeds,” the data read.
“Reports of rat infestation, rice black bug, plant hoppers and stem borer in Sultan Kudarat, Leyte, South Cotabato, Cavite, Guimaras, Misamis Occidental and Sarangani may also contribute to lower palay production,” it added.
The PSA noted that continuous and heavy rainfall and strong winds affected the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop and resulted in the decline in the rice production of Capiz, Leyte, Compostela Valley, Bohol, Aurora, Aklan and Negros Oriental.
The PSA said harvest area in the January-to-March period may contract to 1.15 million hectares, from 1.16 million hectares, or by 0.3 percent. Also, yield per hectare may decline to 3.85 metric tons (MT), from 3.92 MT.
“Probable decreases in area and yield in Davao, North Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Norte, Surigao del Norte, Misamis Occidental may be due to floods caused by tropical depression Auring and low pressure area,” the PSA report read.
The report noted that about 226,380 hectares of the updated standing crop have been harvested. Also, the PSA said almost 678,160 hectares, or 73.8 percent, of the planting intentions for the April to June crop have been realized.
“Of the 1.6 million hectares standing palay crop, 48.6 percent were at vegetative stage; 30.5 percent, at reproductive stage and 20.9 percent, at maturing stage,” the PSA report read. The PSA also revised its forecast for corn output in the first quarter to 2.38 MMT, 0.7 percent lower than its earlier projection of 2.40 MMT. However, the figure is still higher than last year’s level of 1.92 MMT, or by 24.1 percent.
“Harvest area may contract to 698,400 hectares from 700,700 hectares. Yield may decrease to 3.41 MT per hectare, from 3.42 MT per hectare,” the report read.
The PSA said the probable decrease in output could be traced to the adverse effects of flashfloods in North Cotabato, Cagayan, Davao, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental.
“Reports of rat infestations in South Cotabato, Sarangani, Capiz and Sultan Kudarat and crop damage brought about by green and brown plant hoppers in Sultan Kudarat may cause yield reduction,” the PSA report read.
It also noted that about 171,640 hectares of the updated standing crop have been harvested and that around 205,520 hectares, or 52.4 percent, of the planting intentions for the April to June 2017 harvests have materialized.
Earlier Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said agriculture production in the first three months of the year could grow by 2 percent, as favorable weather encouraged farmers to plant more crops.
Piñol said the crops subsector would still be the main driver of the farm sector’s growth during the January-to-March period, particularly rice and corn.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing a total palay production of 18.57 million metric tons (MMT), 5.33 percent higher than last year’s output of 17.63 MMT.
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