March 4, 2009

Mindanao's Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza is calling for the creation of a new corn research institute under the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the Philippines' future needs are met.

The institute should be dedicated to draw up a comprehensive corn research programme, increase production, improve farmers' income and expand rural livelihood opportunities, according to Talino-Mendoza.

She warned that production levels should be quickly increased or the Philippines will face severe corn shortages in the future due to growing corn demand and limited arable land.

Taliño-Mendoza said while experimental stations yield up to eight tonnes per hectare, farmers in the field could only produce 3 to 4.5 tonnes.

Under Talino-Mendoza's proposal, the institute would serve as a hub of all corn research and development initiatives by the public and private sectors.

Local corn prices soared from PHP13.50 to as high as PHP25 per kg early this year on tight supply. The short supply prompted the DA to allow up to 200,000 tonnes of corn imports for delivery this month for use by poultry and hog producers and feed millers.

Corn is the second most important crop in the Philippines, with over 2.5 million hectares of arable land used for the crop. More than 40 percent of the annual corn production comes from Mindanao.

Last year, the Philippines produced 6.95 million tonnes of corn.