Corn production in the province of Ilocos Norte grew by 11.44 percent during the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with the 2019 production of the same period.  A total of 3,089 metric tons was produced in the province registering 317 metric tons increase against the estimated 2,772 metric tons harvest in the same quarter of 2019.

By crop type, white corn was estimated at 920 metric tons in the province in the fourth quarter of 2020. This is 27.96 percent higher than the 719 metric tons production in the same quarter last year.

In addition, the production of yellow corn type also went up by 5.65 percent totaling to 2,169 metric tons production in 2020 over the 2019 production of 2,053 metric tons of the same period. (Figure 1).

The province of Ilocos Norte shared the biggest volume of corn production in the four provinces of Ilocos Region in the fourth quarter of 2020. From the region’s total production of 9,467 metric tons, about 32.63 percent was contributed by Ilocos Norte. The province of Ilocos Sur followed with 30.46 percent share of the regional total. The provinces of Pangasinan and La Union ranked third and fourth with 24.39 percent and 12.52 percent contribution to the total production of the region (Figure 2).

On the other hand the total corn area harvested in the province of Ilocos Norte during the fourth quarter of 2020 was 628 hectares. This is 4.49 percent higher than the total harvested corn area of 601 hectares of the same period in 2019 (Figure 3).

By crop type, the area harvested for yellow corn was 398 hectares in 2020. The estimated area increased by 4.74 percent compared to the production of 380 hectares  in 2019.

Also, an increased in the area harvested of white corn was recorded in the province of Ilocos Norte. From 221 hectares in the fourth quarter of 2019, it went up to 230 hectares in the same quarter of 2020 giving a positve 4.74 percent growth rate.

The average yield of corn in the province of Ilocos Norte went up by 6.72 percent for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. From 4.61 metric tons per hectare in 2019, it grew to 4.92 metric tons per hectare in 2020. The increase in the yield was contributed by both white and yellow corn type. White corn yield soar from 3.25 to 4.00 metric tons per hectare while yellow corn type increased from 5.40 to 5.45 metric tons per hectare (Figure 4).

Table 1. Corn Production, Area and Yield of Ilocos Norte, 4^th Quarter 2019 and 2020

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Corn Production Survey

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TECHNICAL NOTES

The Corn Production Survey is one of the two modules of the Palay and Corn Production Survey (PCPS), formerly known as the Rice and Corn Production Survey (RCPS).

The Corn Production Survey (CPS) is a quarterly survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It aims to generate estimates on corn production, area and yield and other related information at the provincial level. The four rounds are conducted in January, April, July and October. Each round generates estimates for the immediate past quarter and forecasts for the next two quarters. Results of the survey serve as inputs to planners and policy makers on matters concerning the corn industry.

The scope of the Corn Production Survey includes:

- Production, area planted/harvested and yield by ecosystem and seed type

- Usage of seeds, fertilizer and pesticides

- Source of irrigation water and adequacy

- Monthly distribution of production and area harvested

- Farm household disposition of production

- Area with standing crop

- Planting intention for the quarter

(SGD.) MARILYN P. VERGARA

Chief Statistical Specialist