September 25, 2006

 

Corn production in Philippines to increase to six million tonnes

 

 

Philippines corn production is expected to rise 14 percent this year to 6 million tonnes, a 14 percent increase compared to last year's 5.3 million tonnes.

 

Agriculture secretary Domingo Panganiban said the fact that the country's total corn production has been increasing indicated the government's programmes to boost corn production are working. 

 

Corn harvest during the first semester of the year has reached 2.66 million tonnes, rising 33 percent above last year's 2 million tonnes, the secretary noted. This gave rise to hopes that this year's 6-million tonne corn harvest may be within reach.

 

Four of the country's top five corn-producing provinces are from Mindanao.

 

Central and northern Mindanao contributed close to 2 million tonnes of corn to national production last year.

 

The government, projecting better production for Southern Philippines, said production is slated to rise as the government pushed for more advanced post harvest technologies to be used in the industry.

 

One of these being carried out was the Ginuntuang Masaganang Ani or GMA corn programme in Southern Philippines. A post harvest facility was built in the town of Kabacan to reduce aflatoxin contents in corn, a vexing problem for years.

 

Two other post harvest facilities are being planned in the same region.

 

Aflatoxin is caused by the buildup of molds in corn due to improper or poor post harvest facilities. Through the facilities, the government hopes to reduce aflatoxin levels to 20 parts per billion.

 

The modern post-harvest facilities would encourage farmers to expand their production and boost the chances of (Central Mindanao) region as the number one corn producing region in the country, Panganiban said.