PALAY production in Western Visayas has posted a 12.15 percent increase for the first semester of 2020 compared to the same period of last year with 753,832.24 metric tons (MT) and 672,152.53 MT production for 2020 and 2019 respectively, according to the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA).
Department of Agriculture 6 (DA-6) director Remelyn R. Recoter said that despite the threats of COVID-19 pandemic, the resiliency of rice farmers in the region continues and manifested their dedication and commitment to provide sufficient, affordable, and safe food for everybody.
“Our farmers are situated in the rural areas wherein during ECQ period, movement and transportation were restricted but they still found enough time to monitor, supervise, and manage their rice lands,” Recoter added.
Across all ecosystem (irrigated, rainfed and upland), the province of Iloilo has the highest production of 352,416.38 MT followed by Capiz – 179, 345.01 MT; Negros Occidental – 107,821 MT; Aklan – 52,223.85 MT; Antique – 46,890 MT; and Guimaras – 15,136 MT for 2020, whereas, in the 2019 production the province of Iloilo still ranks number 1 with 298,376.53 MT; then Capiz – 125,287 MT; Negros Occidental – 112, 069.00 MT; Antique – 80,425.00 MT; Aklan – 45,137.00 MT; and Guimaras – 10,858.00 MT.
It must be noted that the average yield also increased from three metric tons per hectare in 2019 to 3.27 MT/ha this year in the same period (January to June).
The province of Antique recorded the highest yield with 3.60 MT/ha followed by Negros Occidental – 3.56 MT/ha; Iloilo – 3.28 MT/ha; Capiz – 3.22 MT/ha; Aklan – 2.85 MT/ha; and Guimaras – 2.56 MT/ha.
An additional 6,327 hectares were harvested this first semester of 2020 from 224,161 ha in 2019 wherein the province of Iloilo has 107, 287 ha harvested followed by Capiz – 55,655 ha; Negros Occidental – 30,270 ha; Aklan – 18,332 ha; Antique – 13,042 ha; and Guimaras – 5,902.
Recoter is optimistic that with the in-place interventions given to rice farmers under the Rice Resiliency Program (RRP), Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and Regular Rice Program particularly on the distribution of seeds and fertilizer this wet season, the region could play a big role in ensuring the rice sufficiency of the country this year.
Recoter stressed that Western Visayas has contributed 2.077 MMT or 11.04 percent of the 18.814 MMT National Rice Production in 2019. The region is one of the three regions (Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley) with major contributions to the national palay production.
“I am happy that more rice farmers have planted hybrid, certified, and good seeds this season. I am also optimistic that they have applied appropriate fertilization with the free Urea fertilizer we have given them, which could be translated to a bountiful harvest this year,” added Recoter.
The percentage increase in production, yield, and area harvested this first semester of 2020 shows that the DA is doing its part and on the right track in confronting challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. (RAFIS 6)
