The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) remains optimistic to achieve its surplus in rice supply target for Negros Occidental, amid lower rice production output in the province during the first quarter of this year.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said Monday, from January to March this year, rice production is 166,317 metric tons, which is lower than by 57,407 metric tons of the same period in 2017.
Last year's first quarter production was 223,724 metric tons.
He said the drop in rice production can be attributed to the area harvested. This quarter’s harvested area is at 23,396 hectares, while in 2017 of the same period, the harvested area was at 32,581 hectares.
Masculino, however, said OPA expects a higher output this second quarter due to more areas planted during the first quarter.
"With bigger area planted, we expect that our rice production output for the second quarter will spike. By then, we can be able to recover," he said, stressing that the lower initial production this year is relative to "timing" in terms of planting and not brought about by pests and calamities.
Surplus target
The first quarter output forms part of the harvest for second cropping season.
For this year, OPA targets to increase the province's rice self-sufficiency level to 102 percent from only 95 percent in 2017.
The surplus in supply target, which is based on the 2020 Rice Roadmap for Negros Occidental, is equivalent to about 600,000 metric tons.
Among the measures put in place by OPA in order to reach the target includes more distribution of certified and hybrid seeds to local farmers.
Masculino said OPA is also strengthening the extension works of local agriculturists to assist and guide farmers.
Also, OPA aims to start the implementation of farm mechanization program by the second half of the year, Masculino said.
"We hope that the Department of Agriculture can immediately have its guidelines on farm mechanization wherein Negros Occidental was identified as one of the pilot areas," he said, adding that "we are on the right track in terms of achieving a rice self-sufficient province."