September 8, 2006

Corn production in Philippines region of Northern Mindanao up 31 percent

Corn production in the Philippines region of Northern Mindanao is up 31 percent to almost 228,000 tonnes during the first quarter of the year while revenue from it went up by 32 percent, according to Joel Rudinas, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, region 10.

Yellow corn production increased almost 37 percent to 139,924 tonnes, while revenue increased by nearly 40 percent.

White corn production increased nearly 22 percent to 88,751 tonnes while revenue increased 23 percent.

The use of open-pollinated variety (OPV) seeds, coupled with adequate rainfall, has contributed to the increased corn production of the region, authorities said.

During the period, the total area harvested to corn increased slightly by 2.18 percent to 98,587 hectares. Production areas for yellow corn increased 4.4 percent, areas for white corn increased by only 0.7 percent.

Province-wise, Bukidnon had the highest corn production of 162,000 tonnes, accounting for nearly 71 percent of the region's production. The province also had the highest corn surplus of nearly 149,000 tonnes.

Meanwhile, the sterling results of Phase I of the economic plan would propel the industry forward into Phase II, authorities said.