DAVAO CITY—Favorable weather and government support allowed farmers in Caraga region or Region 13 to produce more corn last year, according to the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
While national output declined by 1.81 percent in 2018, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that harvest area, production and yield increased over the previous year’s record.
Data from the PSA showed that corn production in 2018 reached 135,627 metric tons, 13 percent higher than the 119,980 MT produced in 2017.
Harvest area expanded to 36,699 hectares in 2018, from the previous year’s 34,034 hectares. Also, yield per hectare rose by 5 percent to 3.7 MT, from the 3.53 MT recorded in 2017.
Melody Guimary, DA-Caraga regional corn program coordinator, said last year’s increase was due to favorable weather condition and the support extended by the DA-Caraga to farmers.
“Our support to corn farmers had led the way for an increase of Caraga’s performance in corn industry in 2018,” she said.
The regional office of Caraga in Region 13 said the
government distributed P60 million worth of agricultural equipment last year,
including farm tractors, corn picker, combine harvester, compact corn mill and
vertical dryer.
Aside from mechanization support, the DA also extended technical support through training, provision of corn seeds and ameliorant, and market support.
“This year, we are hopeful that the momentum will continue for better production and looking forward to more vibrant corn industry in the region,” Guimary said.
She said the DA-Caraga corn program is targeting to increase corn production with the expansion of the region’s corn area by 3,000 hectares.
“Though our projection is not that easy, we are closely working with the local government units [LGUs] in identifying new areas for corn production that would eventually contribute to the increase of our production for the current year,” Guimary said.
Image credits: Leonardo Parante II