Corn production in La Union declines in 3^rd quarter 2023

Two types of corn (white corn and yellow corn) were grown in La Union in 3^rd quarter 2022 and 3^rd quarter 2023. The volume of corn production decreased by 1.29 percent in 3^rd quarter 2023 at 723.54 metric tons from 733.00 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2022.

Meanwhile, the area harvested for corn increased by 2.48 percent from 215.97 hectares in 3^rd quarter 2022 to 221.32 hectares in 3^rd quarter 2023. On the other hand, the yield per hectare decreased by 3.54 percent from 3.39 metric tons per hectare in 3^rd quarter 2022 to 3.27 metric tons per hectare in 3^rd quarter 2023. (Figure 1)

For Ilocos Region, the volume of corn production went down in 3^rd quarter 2023. A decrease of 16.92 percent was noted in the region’s volume of corn production from 8,581.00 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2022 to 7,129.14 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2023.

Among the provinces in Ilocos Region, Ilocos Norte posted the least volume of corn production in 3^rd quarter 2023 accounting to 7.43 percent (529.61 metric tons) of the total volume of corn production in the region. On the other hand, Pangasinan recorded the largest volume of corn production in the region with 47.97 percent share (3,420.00 metric tons). Ilocos Sur followed with 34.45 percent share (2,456.00 metric tons) and La Union with 10.15 percent share (723.54 metric tons). (Figure 2)

Similarly, with the downtrend from 3^rd quarter 2022 to 3^rd quarter 2023 at the regional level, the corn output in the provinces of (Ilocos Sur, La Union and Ilocos Norte) decreased by 44.52 percent, 1.29 percent, and 21.07 percent, respectively. On the contrary, the corn output in the province of Pangasinan grew by 24.36 percent from its corn output of 2,750.00 metric tons in the same quarter a year ago.

Moreover, the area harvested for corn in Ilocos Region decreased by 10.25 percent from 1,869.97 hectares in 3^rd quarter 2022 to 1,678.32 hectares in 3^rd quarter 2023. Among the four provinces, Ilocos Norte had the least share of 8.40 percent (141.00 hectares) to the total area harvested for corn in the region. Pangasinan occupied the biggest area harvested for corn with 41.11 percent share (690.00 hectares) followed by Ilocos Sur with 37.30 percent share (626.00 hectares) and La Union with 13.19 percent share (221.32 hectares). (Figure 3)

Comparing the area harvested for corn in the 3^rd quarter of 2023 with the same period a year ago, the provinces of (Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Norte) recorded increases in area harvested for corn. Pangasinan increased by 21.48 percent, La Union with 2.48 percent, and Ilocos Norte with 1.44 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the area harvested for corn in the province of Ilocos Sur decreased by 33.90 percent.

STATISTICAL TABLES

TECHNICAL NOTES

Corn Production Survey (CPS) is a quarterly survey that generates estimates and forecasts data on production, area and yield of corn. The survey gathers information on the area planted/harvested and production by ecosystem and crop type; monthly distribution of production and area harvested; farm household disposition/utilization of production; area of standing crop; use of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides; and awareness and availment of program interventions.

Reference Periods

January Survey round – October to December

April Survey round – January to March

July Survey round – April to June

October Survey round – July to September

Production refers to the quantity produced and actually harvested for a particular crop during the reference period.

Area Harvested refers to the actual area from which harvest are realized during the reference period.

Irrigated Farms refer to area with irrigation facilities supplying water through artificial means like gravity, force/power, pump, etc. Irrigated area become rainfed only, when the irrigation system is no longer operational for the past two years and beyond repair and there is no plan of irrigating the farm.

Rainfed Farms refer to area that holds standing water but solely dependent on rainfall for its water supply. It may have dikes that retain rainwater. 

Yield refers to the measurement of the amount of agricultural production harvested per unit of land area.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD
Chief Statistical Specialist

MAQ/MFC