Four years after the pandemic, the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize) and other relevant agencies, hosted the 17th Philippine National Corn Congress on October 24-25, 2024.
Hundreds of corn growers and stakeholders came together to develop concrete, comprehensive, and inclusive plans aimed to address various challenges facing the corn industry, such as low productivity, low corn prices, limited access to modern farming technologies, and insufficient post-harvest handling and storage infrastructure.
This year’s theme, “Maunlad na Maisan, Tungo sa Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasizes the need for a unified approach and policies among stakeholders and policymakers to help the corn industry achieve its goals.
“As we celebrate the 17th year of conducting the National Corn Congress, we hope to strengthen the partnership between the private and the public sectors. The role of PhilMaize in pursuit of strengthening corn clusters is imperative,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement read by DA Regional Field Office V-Field Operations Division Chief Earl Vincent P. Vegas during the opening of the 17th National Corn Congress on October 24, 2024
The Secretary stressed that the Department recognizes the relevance of corn and cassava, which is why the DA has been continually pushing for advancements in these commodities.
Sec. Tiu Laurel added that the DA has launched the Corn Production Enhancement Project to support farmers. It aims to boost corn productivity, increase income, and enhance national corn sufficiency.
“The project provides seeds and fertilizers to eligible farmers, and as of August 2024, we have distributed over 1,700 metric tons of corn seeds and nearly 2.9 million cassava seed pieces, along with almost 6,000 metric tons of fertilizers,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
For 2025, the Department, through the National Corn Program, plans to allocate 5.31 billion pesos for high-quality planting materials, fertilizers, training, postharvest machinery, and small-scale irrigation projects. The program aims to boost production of quality corn, cassava, sorghum, and soybean for food, feed, and industrial use while empowering farmers and stakeholders with science-based interventions and support services.
“Next year, the Department is targeting the local production of at least 81% of total demand and aims to increase yields to 5.17 metric tons per hectare for yellow corn, 2.29 metric tons per hectare for white corn, and 11.73 metric tons per hectare for cassava. Increasing the production of white corn will provide more options for available food staples, which is essential for achieving food security,” he said.
Philmaize President Romualdo I. Elvira, Jr. thanked all supporters and stakeholders for their continuous involvement in the development of corn industry.
“Iisa lang po ang layunin ng bawat ka-mais o corn grower na maging masagana ang kanilang kabuhayan, gaya rin ng mga kasama nating feed millers, negosyante, traders, corn seed growers, at iba pang corn industry stakeholders,” Elvira said.
“Natutuwa kami at ngayong araw ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na magsama-sama ang corn cluster leaders ng iba’t ibang rehiyon kasama ang dedicated stakeholders upang pag-usapan ang kalagayan ng industriya at magrekomenda ng mga programa at plano na angkop sa bawat lokalidad o region,” Elvira said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Joey Salceda, represented by his chief of staff, Mr. Joseph Yap, expressed his support for the corn industry and presented his 10-point agenda for corn farmers:
1. Concentrate production and value chain development in major corn producing and consuming areas;
2. Provide adequate credit to whole sector;
3. Provide and facilitate supply and distribution of fertilizers, chemicals, and other inputs to program provinces;
4. Intensify information campaign and extension work;
5. Intensify coordination at the provincial and regional level particularly on water supply, road work, and other related activities;
6. Seed production and distribution centers in the provincial level;
7. Increase funding of the national corn program through flowback systems from tariffs;
8. Create a national marketing program that will link farmers to the nearest and best value chain;
9. Increase manpower, employment and trainings to improve farmers managerial skills; and
10. Facilitate credit facilities for farm machineries and equipment.
As highlight of the event, Dr. Artemio Salazar, Vice Chair of Philmaize and Chair of the White Corn Technical Committee, formally turned over to DA the program documents related to the crafting of the Philippine White Corn Industry Roadmap 2024-2029, which will serve as a guide for the sector. This roadmap aims to promote white corn consumption and increase its supply in the market simultaneously, as mandated by DA Special Order No. 1488, series of 2023.
The two-day event was also sponsored by corn seed growers, fertilizer suppliers, and companies offering farm machinery and equipment, which showcased their products to the attending farmers. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
