Wednesday, July 25, 2007 Corn production expected to increase this year By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THERE is an expected increase in the country's corn production this year, the National Food Authority (NFA) has reported.
From 6.08 million metric tons produced in 2006, an expected total of 6.91 million metric tons of corn or an increase of 14 percent is expected to be generated this year.
NFA reported the government's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) corn program has been instrumental in increasing local corn harvests from 5.25 million metric tons in 2005 to 6.08 million metric tons in 2006.
NFA report, however, said the government has already approved a total of 400,000 metric tons of corn imports this year to stabilize local supply and maintain the prices of meat products in the country.
Of the import figure, half of which arrived between June and July and a standby volume of another 200,000 metric tons of corn in the last quarter.
The private sector has requested the government to import 700,000 metric tons of corn this year, but the government only recommended 400,000 metric tons in view of local efforts through the Department of Agriculture's GMA corn program that is to improve local corn production and attain self-sufficiency.
NFA said there is no need for the private traders to hold on to stocks beyond their actual need because there will still be a sufficient supply of corn with the expected increase in the local harvests and the forthcoming imports.
