Gov’t set to roll out sustainable corn production dev’t plan

Corn production program–contributed photo

The government is implementing a production development plan for the Philippine corn industry that will benefit the livestock, poultry and dairy sector, and ensure sustainable and sufficient food grains, which forms part of the food security commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Filipinos.

The plan, according to the Department of Agriculture, involves a sustainable corn breeding program to develop yellow corn varieties to meet demand for location-specific and affordable varieties for animal feeds.

The program would strengthen the development of yellow corn varieties with improved yield potential of 5-6 tons per hectare, drought and disease tolerance, and enriched protein content. It also aims to ensure supply of quality breeder seeds for certified seed production of  growers.

The corn development initiative –to be undertaken through the Regional Field Office Cagayan Valley, in coordination with the National Corn Program, Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Agricultural Training Institute– will also develop open-pollinated white corn varieties for food staple and food processing.

As of 2020, the Cagayan Valley Research Center has developed 18 open-pollinated varieties (OPV) corn varieties approved and accredited by the National Seed Industry Council. Through the implementation of this sustainable corn breeding program, at least two varieties are expected to be commercialized in two years.

The Cagayan Valley region is a key yellow corn production area in the country, contributing 31 percent of the total national output in 2021. Analysis of the cost structure of yellow corn reveals high production costs, forcing the local industry to rely on imported genetically-modified corn hybrid seeds, which guarantee high yield.

However, the attainment of potential yields from these corn hybrids requires high fertilizer usage. Some farmers resort to the use of OPV, which entails lesser capital and reduced potential crop failure.

The DA’s comprehensive corn breeding program would not only support the local corn industry by utilizing locally developed varieties and lowering production cost, but also benefit the development of the livestock, poultry, and dairy sector of the country.