Thursday, February 14, 2008 Palay production seen to increase in 1st sem By Joy Romares-Sevilla
PALAY production forecast in the country is expected to increase in the first semester of 2008 to as much as 7.15 million metric tons, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported.
BAS said the figure is 6.33 percent higher than the 6.73 million metric tons produced in the same period last year.
BAS said the bulk of the palay harvest would be recorded during the first quarter with production expected to reach 4.02 million metric tons based on standing crop.
Palay production is expected to increase in Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas.
The availability of water due to rehabilitation and restoration of irrigation canals in irrigated areas and rains are the main reasons for the production increase in these regions.
Also, BAS said the increasing awareness on the use of hybrid and quality inbred seeds through the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program interventions will also help in the increase.
