The Philippines has achieved record-breaking harvests of palay (unmilled rice) and corn for the first six months of 2011.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said palay production for the first semester of 2011 topped 7.577 million metric tons (MT), which is 14.4 percent (%) more than last year’s volume of 6.621 million MT for the same six-month period.

First semester corn harvest is also the highest in the country’s history, at 3.309 million MT, which is 37% more than last year’s output of 2.415 million MT.

Secretary Alcala said the record 1st semester rice and corn harvests were mainly due to the expansion of harvested area and increase in average yield per hectare.

The previous highest 1st semester harvests of rice were recorded in 2009 (7.376 million MT) and in 2008 (7.121 million MT), and for corn, in 2008 (3.293 million MT) and in 2009 (3.218 million MT).

The total harvested rice area for the 1st semester of 2011, increased to 1.993 million hectares, 9.6% more than in 2010, at 1.819 million hectares. The expansion is due to the increase in irrigated area primarily through the rehabilitation and repair of irrigation facilities. This was complemented by more rice planted in non-irrigated areas, which received sufficient rainwater from relatively favorable weather during the first six months of 2011.

Significant increases in harvested area were particularly noted in Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley.

The average palay yield per hectare for the first half also improved to 3.8 tons (or 76 cavans of 50 kilos each). This is roughly three cavans more than last year’s average yield of 3.64 tons per hectare.

The increase in productivity was a result of good weather, increased use of high quality seeds, encouraging palay prices, and production and marketing support to farmers provided by the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with local government units and the private sector.

As for corn, the record harvest was due to the 13.8% expansion in harvested area combined with a 20.4% improvement in average yield.

Favorable weather during the first half of the year, as well as good farm prices have encouraged the expansion of corn plantings and harvested area.

More importantly, the DA’s continuing promotion of higher quality hybrid corn seed has contributed much to higher yields.

Secretary Alcala said in addition to the improved delivery of support services and infrastructure support, the active engagement and participation of the LGUs and private sector partners have more than made up for the phasing out of the traditional fertilizer and seed subsidies.

In all, he said the DA will vigorously implement its rice and corn programs to attain 2011 targets — and more importantly 100% sufficiency in rice, corn, and other staples by 2013 — in partnership with farmers’ groups, particularly irrigators’ associations, LGUs, rice and corn industry stakeholders, NGOs, academe, and other concerned agencies.
The Philippines has achieved record-breaking harvests of palay (unmilled rice) and corn for the first six months of 2011.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said palay production for the first semester of 2011 topped 7.577 million metric tons (MT), which is 14.4 percent (%) more than last year’s volume of 6.621 million MT for the same six-month period.

First semester corn harvest is also the highest in the country’s history, at 3.309 million MT, which is 37% more than last year’s output of 2.415 million MT.

Secretary Alcala said the record 1st semester rice and corn harvests were mainly due to the expansion of harvested area and increase in average yield per hectare.

The previous highest 1st semester harvests of rice were recorded in 2009 (7.376 million MT) and in 2008 (7.121 million MT), and for corn, in 2008 (3.293 million MT) and in 2009 (3.218 million MT).

The total harvested rice area for the 1st semester of 2011, increased to 1.993 million hectares, 9.6% more than in 2010, at 1.819 million hectares. The expansion is due to the increase in irrigated area primarily through the rehabilitation and repair of irrigation facilities. This was complemented by more rice planted in non-irrigated areas, which received sufficient rainwater from relatively favorable weather during the first six months of 2011.

Significant increases in harvested area were particularly noted in Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley.

The average palay yield per hectare for the first half also improved to 3.8 tons (or 76 cavans of 50 kilos each). This is roughly three cavans more than last year’s average yield of 3.64 tons per hectare.

The increase in productivity was a result of good weather, increased use of high quality seeds, encouraging palay prices, and production and marketing support to farmers provided by the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with local government units and the private sector.

As for corn, the record harvest was due to the 13.8% expansion in harvested area combined with a 20.4% improvement in average yield.

Favorable weather during the first half of the year, as well as good farm prices have encouraged the expansion of corn plantings and harvested area.

More importantly, the DA’s continuing promotion of higher quality hybrid corn seed has contributed much to higher yields.

Secretary Alcala said in addition to the improved delivery of support services and infrastructure support, the active engagement and participation of the LGUs and private sector partners have more than made up for the phasing out of the traditional fertilizer and seed subsidies.

In all, he said the DA will vigorously implement its rice and corn programs to attain 2011 targets — and more importantly 100% sufficiency in rice, corn, and other staples by 2013 — in partnership with farmers’ groups, particularly irrigators’ associations, LGUs, rice and corn industry stakeholders, NGOs, academe, and other concerned agencies.

The national estimates of the 2011 1st semester palay and corn harvests were based on the palay and corn production survey, conducted in July 2011 by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The survey is conducted regularly to monitor and evaluate the production performance of the palay and corn subsectors. DA Information Service

The national estimates of the 2011 1st semester palay and corn harvests were based on the palay and corn production survey, conducted in July 2011 by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The survey is conducted regularly to monitor and evaluate the production performance of the palay and corn subsectors. DA Information Service