Local palay output seen declining

Local production of palay might decrease by 1.3 percent year-on-year in the first semester as hot weather is driving a contraction in harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

PSA data show that as of the first quarter, the Philippines produced 4.27 million tons of paddy rice, an increase of 1.4 percent.

But in the first three months of 2015, the harvest area decreased by almost 1 percent to 1.15 million hectares although yield increased by 2.3 percent to 3.8 tons per hectare.

“Significant increments in [first-quarter] production were noted in Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Ilocos Region,” the PSA reported.

This was attributed mainly to the availability of seeds, both from the government and from commercial suppliers, as well as the sufficiency of water supply in those regions.

For the six months to June, the PSA said the volume is expected at 8.27 million tons.

During the first half, the harvest area is expected to contract by 1.5 percent to 2.07 million hectares, while the yield is seen inching up by 0.2 percent to 4 tons per hectare.

For the second quarter alone, the PSA forecasts a 4.2-percent drop in output, which is expected at 3.9 million tons.

From April to June, harvest areas may shrink by 2.3 percent to 939,000 hectares while yield may decrease by 2 percent to 4.25 tons per hectare.

“In Soccsksargen, some palay areas at vegetative stages were damaged by the dry spell felt throughout the region,” the PSA said, “There were delayed planting activities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat due to temporary closure of some NIA (National Irrigation Administration) irrigation facilities.”

Also, the PSA expects cutbacks in the harvest area in Mimaropa, Central Luzon and Bicol due to insufficient water supply and intense heat in most of the provinces.

Further, a contraction in harvest area in Western Visayas is anticipated due to insufficient water supply and shifting to other crops such as mongo and watermelon.

“In Northern Mindanao, the ongoing rehabilitation of irrigation canals and dry spell may reduce plantings in irrigated and rain-fed areas, respectively,” the PSA said.

“Yield of standing crops in Caraga may be affected by insufficient soil moisture and incidence of black bugs and leaf blight,” the agency added.