THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said palay production in the Bicol region posted growth of 4.01% growth, while corn output rose 3.81% growth in 2021 amid an increase in the land area planted to the two staple crops, with rice benefiting from greater adoption of hybrid seed.

The region reported palay production of 1.35 million metric tons (MT), a record, while corn output came in at 292,748 MT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla said palay output was the second record for Bicol since 2011.

He said strong performances were turned in by farmers in areas practicing a clustering strategy, where resources are shared by cultivators pooling their small plots.

Rice and Corn Program Head Earl Vincent P. Vegas said that the increase in yield could be attributed to the expansion of the hectarage planted to hybrid rice.

Camarines Norte posted an increase in palay production of 7.17% to 116,292.63 MT, followed by Camarines Sur, where output grew 5.04% to 683,203 MT. Sorsogon posted output growth of 3.97% to 150,793.40 MT; Albay 3.95% to 224,533 MT; and Masbate 0.50% to 148,754 MT. Output in Catanduanes contracted 13.48% to 23,376 MT.

Output of yellow corn, the variety used for animal feed, was 220,170.50 MT in 2021, while white corn output was 75,577.78 MT.

The area planted to corn increased by 1.82% to 108,929.87 hectares in 2021.

Camarines Sur has the most land planted to corn (47,838 hectares), followed by Masbate (38,722 hectares), Albay (20,699 hectares), and Camarines Norte (1,029). — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

SOURCE: https://www.bworldonline.com/