ILOILO City — Rice production in Western Visayas increased 12 percent in the first semester of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6.
“Comparing the 2019 first semester with the 2020 first semester, we already have a 12-percent gain in volume of production. We are expecting nga ining harvest sang wet season will increase the volume of production this first semester,” Director Remelyn Recoter of the DA-6 said in a virtual press conference on Monday – simultaneous with the observance of World Food Day.
Citing the data from the Philippines Statistics Authority, Recoter said that during last year’s first semester, Region 6’s palay production was 672,153 metric tons. This year for the same period, the region was able to produce 753, 832 metric tons.
For the entire 2020, the region is targeting a double digit increase in percentage of palay production compared to last year’s 2.07 million metric tons.
“We are really positive that our production for the year will be in double digits kay ang sa first semester pa lang, there’s already a 12 percent increase from 2019’s same period volume of performance,” Recoter said.
The regional director noted the delay in planting, which was supposed to be from May 15 to Sept. 15, due to the delayed onset of the wet season.
“Unfortunately ara na sa July ang bulk sang aton nga planting because of delay sang ulan. Ang aton nga irrigation, gravity flow lang, wala ta sang dam. Hopefully ang aton nga Jalaur dam will be operational by 2022,” said Recoter.
With the delay in the onset of rainy season, Recoter said the bulk of this year’s production is expected towards the end of October until November.
But Recoter noted one of the concerns now is the onset of La Niña phenomenon as forecasted by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration from November to January.
“Mahambal ta nga may ara pa nga more than 50 percent for harvest within the region. Naga-overlap ang aton harvesting kag planting,” she added.
As to the La Niña wherein the rainfall is above normal, Recoter advised farmers to always listen and be on the lookout for weather forecasts.
“Nag-request naman ang amon central office sang data as to the current standing crops kay para maka-estimate as to the projected damages during La Niña in the fourth quarter of this year until the first semester of 2021,” said Recoter./PN
