August 18, 2006

Philippine corn output likely to rise 4 percent next year

Philippine corn output in 2007 is likely to rise 4 percent to 6.24 million tonnes against a projected record high of 6 million tonnes this year, the Department of Agriculture said Friday (Aug 18). 

This is to be achieved through the use of hybrid seeds such as the genetically modified Bt corn seeds, it said.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban said the targeted increase also hinges on favourable weather conditions.

This year's projected output of 6 million tonnes, up around 14 percent from last year's 5.3 million tonnes, would come from a 5 percent increase in planting areas and an 8 percent improvement in yield, said Panganiban, due to the use of hybrid and Bt corn seeds.

Corn output for the first half of 2006 surged 32 percent on year, reaching 2.6 million tonnes. Harvest area in the first six months of the year expanded 13 percent as improved weather conditions led many farmers to shift back to planting corn.

In 2005, farmers shied away from planting corn to avoid the ill-effects of an El Nino induced drought.

Corn production for the second half of the year is expected to reach 3.4 million tonnes, or 4 percent higher from the same period last year.

"The increase (in second-half output) will come mainly from an expected 3.4 percent improvement in yield," Panganiban said.