N. Mindanao rice sufficiency level up 4% in 2nd Quarter

NORTHERN Mindanao’s net rice sufficiency level for the second quarter of 2012 is 62 percent, four percent higher from the 58 percent it recorded during the same period last year, the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Northern Mindanao region reported.

Palay production has reached 135,536 metric tons (P2.254 billion) in the second quarter of 2012, 11 percent higher than the 121,844 metric tons (P1.896 billion) it yielded in the same period last year.

This, despite declines in outputs in Misamis Oriental, which could be traced to substantial decreases in area harvested, according to data of the Neda circulated to media firms recently.

Except Misamis Oriental which maintained this year its 4.10 percent share yielded per hectare in the same period in 2011, the rest of the provinces in Northern Mindanao showed positive growth in yield in both irrigated and rainfed areas.

The province of Bukidnon increased its yield per hectare to 4.02 percent during the period from 3.77 percent in same period in 2011; Camiguin, 4.01 percent from 3.58 percent yield per hectare; Lanao del Norte, 3.88 percent from 3.49 percent yield per hectare in same period in 2011; and Misamis Occidental recorded an increase of 1.60 percent from 4.04 to 4.10 during the second quarter period this year.

Bukidnon’s increased yield was the result of less pest infestation, synchronized planting and sufficient rainfall while that of Lanao del Norte was due to absence of unusual occurrences of pests and diseases.

However, data from the National Food Authority in Region X showed a 51 percent decrease in rice and palay inventory as of June 1, 2012, for a total of 1,123,222 bags, estimated to last only 38 days based on the region’s daily rice consumption requirement of around 29,260 bags.