THE country's rice and corn production for the first three months of 2009 is expected to increase, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported.

BAS report said that based on farmers' planting intentions, the January to March 2009 rice production is expected to go up by 6.35 percent due to increase of the area harvested and yield by 5.45 percent and 0.86 percent, respectively.

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The increase in area harvested and yield for palay can be attributed to improved irrigation system, restoration and rehabilitation of some irrigation facilities, replanting of flood-damaged areas, and availability of seeds and fertilizer subsidy from the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program of the government.

For corn, BAS said the production for the first three months of 2009 is forecast at 2.05 million metric tons or 3.02 percent higher than last year's 1.99 million metric tons.

It added that corn farmers are optimistic of a good harvest for the period in anticipation of a favorable weather conditions and continued support from GMA Corn Program in terms of subsidies on seeds and fertilizer.

The expected increase in corn production is due to the expansion of the harvested area, which is also seen to go up by 5.60 percent.

Meanwhile, based on standing crop, rice production for October-December 2008 is forecasted at 6.30 million metric tons, down by 1.06 percent from last year's 6.37 million metric tons.

This can be attributed to contraction in harvest area, while corn production for October-December 2008 production is expected to decline by 3.26 percent, from 1.45 million metric tons last year to 1.40 million metric tons this year.

BAS said the harvest area for corn is expected to contract by 0.61 percent, from 603,000 hectares to 599,000. (JGRS)

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(November 25, 2008 issue)
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