ILOILO CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA) -- Palay production in Western Visayas posted a 12.15-percent increase in the first semester of 2020.
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority, the palay production in six months this year was recorded at 753,832.24 metric tons which is higher than the 672,152.53 metric tons production during the same period last year.
In a press release, Department of Agriculture 6 Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter said that despite the threats of COVID-19 pandemic, the resiliency of rice farmers in the region continues and manifested their dedication and commitment to provide sufficient, affordable, and safe food for everybody.
“Our farmers are situated in the rural areas wherein during ECQ period movement and transportation were restricted but they still found enough time to monitor, supervise and manage their rice lands,” Recoter added.
During the first semester this year, Iloilo province has the highest production which was recorded at 352,416.38M metric tons, followed by Capiz at 179,345.01M metric tons; Negros Occidental at 107,821M metric tons; Aklan at 52,223.85M metric tons; Antique at 46,890M metric tons and Guimaras at 15,136M metric tons, according to the DA 6 report.
Records also showed that in the 2019 production, the province of Iloilo still ranks number 1 with 298,376.53M metric tons followed by Capiz with 125,287M metric tons; Negros Occidental with 112, 069.00M metric tons; Antique with 80,425.00M metric tons; Aklan with 45,137.00M metric tons and Guimaras with 10,858.00M metric tons.
These palay production covers all ecosystems, namely the irrigated, rainfed and upland rice fields, the report added.
It must be noted that the average yield also increased from 3 metric tons per hectare in 2019 to 3.27metric tons per hectare during the same period this year.
Recoter is optimistic that with the in-place interventions given to rice farmers under the Rice Resiliency Program (RRP), Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and Regular Rice Program particularly on the distribution of seeds and fertilizer this Wet Season, Western Visayas could play a big role in ensuring the rice sufficiency of the country this year.
Recoter stressed that the region has contributed 2.077MMT or 11.04-percent of the 18.814 MMT National Rice Production in 2019, noting that Western Visayas is one of three regions with major contributions to the national palay production.
“I am happy that more rice farmers have planted hybrid, certified, and good seeds this season. I am also optimistic that they have applied appropriate fertilization with the free Urea fertilizer we have given them, which could be translated to a bountiful harvest this year,” she said. (PIA6/With report and photo from DA6 Info. Officer James Earl Ogatis)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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