DA: Corn production up in 1st half

Corn production increased by over a third in the first half of the year because of good weather and the expansion of area for growing corn, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Corn production increased to about 3.3 million metric tons from January to June. It rose by 36.81 percent from the 2.4 million tons reported in the same period of 2010, according to Agriculture officials.

The agency said that, apart from good weather and area expansion, the availability of several corn varieties, good farmgate prices, and stable prices of inputs also helped in boosting production.

Area harvested to corn in the first half of 2011 increased by 14.17 percent to 1.1 million hectares from the 967,000 hectares reported in 2010.

Regions that contributed to the growth in corn production were Cagayan Valley (27 percent), Soccsksargen (14 percent), Northern Mindanao (12 percent), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (12 percent) and the Ilocos Region (11 percent).

Agribusiness economist Rolando Dy of the University of Asia and the Pacific said he expects corn to “do well” this year.

As for any possible shift among Filipinos to white corn from rice as the main staple, Dy said this would take time and would depend on the availability of affordable yet safe, quality-assured corn stocks.

According to Roger Navarro of the Philippine Maize Federation, or Philmaize, the industry group comprising corn producers, the biggest challenge now facing corn growers is the prevention of post-harvest losses, which presently stands at 10 to 15 percent.

Navarro said the government could help the industry by setting up drying and storage facilities for corn to ensure supply of quality grain for consumers.

The national target for corn production in 2011 is 7.26 million tons.

Growth in corn production is part of the government’s strategy to attain food sufficiency. Corn is considered an alternative staple that may ease the demand for rice.