BAS reported that harvest area of palay may increase by 4.81 percent, however, palay yield may decrease by 1.49 percent.
It added that palay production from July to September may reach to 3.46 million metric tons, or 9.89 percent higher than the July-September production last year.
BAS added that the forecast increase in production is the result of the expansion in harvest areas from both irrigated and rain-fed farms by 15.09 percent.
Meanwhile, all regions in the country, except Davao Region and the Soccsksargen, are looking forward on increases in harvest areas due to sufficient water from rains and irrigation water from rehabilitated irrigation canals.
On the other hand, based on farmers' planting intentions, the October to December palay production forecast is placed at 6.36 million metric tons, higher by .4 percent from last year of the same period. (JGRS)
