Palay, Corn Production Rise in Q2 Amid UPRIIS Repairs

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that palay production rose by 5.7% year on year in the second quarter, reaching 4.63 million metric tons. The increase was largely due to repairs to the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), which restored irrigation services to 30,000 hectares of land.

Corn production also saw a slight increase of 0.8% year on year, with output reaching 1.51 million metric tons. The harvested area for corn was 416.79 thousand hectares, up 3.5% from the same period last year.

Cagayan Valley was the top palay producer in the second quarter, accounting for 1.20 million metric tons of production. Nueva Ecija was the top palay-producing province, with output reaching 752.75 thousand metric tons. Isabela topped the provinces in corn production, with 238.88 thousand metric tons.

According to Arnel V. De Mesa, Agriculture spokesman and assistant secretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance, strong palay prices during the dry season harvest boosted planting intentions among farmers, contributing to the increase in production.