Palay, corn production forecast down in Q1

MANILA, Philippines – The palay and corn production forecast for the first quarter was downgraded due to contraction in harvest areas, drop in yield, water supply issues, and pests and diseases, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

The contraction in harvest area and drop in yield are attributed to the damage caused by typhoons Seniang (international name: Jangmi) that hit Capiz and Negros Occidental in December 2014 and typhoon Amang (international name Mekkhala) that hit Camarines Sur in January 2015.

In Iloilo, Tarlac, Mindoro Oriental, and Cagayan, insufficient water supply and intense heat during the vegetative and reproductive stages of palay may reduce yield.

Stemborer and rice black bug infestation in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cavite, and Laguna may also contribute to lower production.

Strong winds that occurred in Quezon, Laguna, Antique, and Zambales also lodged crops during the reproductive stage is also expected to reduce yield.

Downgrades

Palay production for the January to March period is now estimated at 4.46 million metric tons (MT), down by 2.8% from the January forecast of 4.59 million MT.

The new first quarter palay production forecast though is 3.6% higher than the output of 4.32 million MT in the same period last year.

The harvest area is expected to remain the same at 1.16 million hectares instead of 1.17 million hectares as earlier forecasted.

Yield per hectare is expected at 3.84 per hectare instead of at 3.93 MT per hectare as earlier set, PSA reported.

Out of the 1.60 million hectares of standing palay crop, 55.6% were at vegetative stage, 32.8% were at reproductive stage, and 22.6% were at maturity stage.

Corn production forecast has also been downgraded to 2.43 million MT, 0.6% below the earlier forecast of 2.44 million MT. The new production forecast for the first quarter is 6.6% higher than the output of 2.28 million MT in the same period last year.

The harvest area may cover 719,170 hectares, lower compared to 719,780 hectares as earlier forecast. Yield may fall to 3.38 MT from 3.39 MT per hectare. – Rappler.com