Palay production in Ilocos Region grew in 4^th quarter 2019 compared with its level in 4^th quarter 2018 while corn production went down in the same period.

Palay

Palay production in 4^th quarter 2019 was registered at 1,176,145 metric tons, higher than the 1,077,471 metric tons estimate in 4^th quarter 2018. The area harvested decreased from 266,354 hectares to 266,134 hectares due to early harvesting in 3^rd quarter 2019. Despite the decrease in total area harvested, the positive performance was brought by the increased usage of high quality seeds and fertilizers, and lesser destructive typhoons and strong winds during the period. Lesser damages usually caused by bacterial leaf blight and streak and hopper burn were also observed. The yield per hectare grew from 4.05 metric tons to 4.42 metric tons. 

Figure 1. Palay Production Estimates, Ilocos Region
4^th Quarter 2018 and 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

Table 1. Palay Production Estimates by Province
Ilocos Region: 4^th Quarter 2018 and 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

The province of Pangasinan accounted for the biggest proportion of the total palay production of Ilocos Region in 4^th quarter 2019 with 56.40 percent share. Its output was higher in 4^th quarter 2019 with 663,361 metric tons compared with the 4^th quarter 2018 output of 642,926 metric tons. The harvest area expanded from 158,833 hectares to 159, 137 hectares while its yield per hectare improved from 4.05 metric tons to 4.17 metric tons. The absence of destructive typhoons and strong winds, coupled with lesser damages of bacterial leaf blight and streak, and hopper burn contributed to the higher output.

The province of Ilocos Norte ranked second in terms of volume of palay production in the region in 4^th quarter 2019 with 17.64 percent share. Its output of 207,492 metric tons was higher than the output in 4^th quarter 2018 of 177,897 metric tons. The increase in output was mainly contributed by the improved yield per hectare which was recorded at 4.96 metric tons, higher than the 4.12 metric tons attained in 4^th quarter 2018. Meanwhile, lesser area was harvested due to early harvesting in 3^rd quarter 2019.

The province of Ilocos Sur is third highest in terms of palay production in 4^th quarter 2019 with 15.39 percent of the total palay production in Ilocos Region. From the output of 149,140 metric tons in the same period of 2018, it went up to 181,053 metric tons. Similarly with Ilocos Norte, the positive growth in output was contributed by the higher yield per hectare. From 3.99 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2018, the yield per hectare went up to 4.92 metric tons attributed to increased usage of hybrid seeds and absence of destructive typhoons. On the other hand, the harvest area decreased from 37,382 hectares to 36,816 hectares due to early harvesting in 3rd quarter 2019.

La Union recorded the least volume of palay production with 10.57 percent of the total palay production in the region in 4^th quarter 2019. Its output during the period also increased to 124,239 metric tons from 107,508 metric tons recorded in 4^th quarter 2018. Similarly, harvesting in low lying areas was not done in 3^rd quarter 2019. Thus, the harvest area in 4^th quarter 2019 expanded to 28,330 hectares from 26,966 hectares in 4^th quarter 2018. The yield per hectare also improved from 3.99 metric tons to 4.39 metric tons due to increased usage of high quality seeds and absence of destructive typhoons, unlike last year.

Figure 2. Percentage Distribution of Volume of Palay Production by Province
Ilocos Region: 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

Corn

Corn production in Ilocos Region went down by 2.68 percent in 4^th quarter 2019. The output was posted at 7,712 metric tons lower than the 7,924 metric tons output in 4^th quarter 2018. All the provinces of the region, except Ilocos Norte, registered lower production. The harvest area decreased from 1,933 hectares to 1,868 hectares due to high moisture content during the planting schedule and shifting to other commodities. The yield per hectare, on the other hand, improved from 4.10 metric tons to 4.13 metric tons.

Figure 3. Corn Production Estimates, Ilocos Region
4^th Quarter 2018 and 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

Ilocos Norte, which ranked first in terms of volume of production with 35.94 percent, registered higher output in 4^th quarter of 2019. From 2,646 metric tons production in the same period of 2018, it went up to 2,772 metric tons due to increased demand, bigger sizes of produce due to adequate water, lesser destructive typhoons, and increased usage of hybrid seeds. The harvest area and the yield per hectare also recorded positive growth.

Figure 4. Percentage Distribution of Volume of Corn Production by Province
Ilocos Region: 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

Ilocos Sur ranked second with 35.62 percent of the total corn production in the region in 4^th quarter 2019. Its corn production went down from 2,840 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2018 to 2,747 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2019. Decreased production was caused by lower yield per hectare from 4.06 metric tons to 3.90 metric tons. On the other hand, harvest area grew from 699 hectares to 705 hectares.

La Union accounted for 14.68 percent of the total corn production in the region in 4^th quarter 2019. It registered a production of 1,132 metric tons, lower than the production of 1,176 metric tons recorded in the same quarter of 2018. Some farmers shifted to other commodities that resulted to lesser harvest area of 319 hectares from 334 hectares.

Table 2. Corn Production Estimates by Province
Ilocos Region: 4^th Quarter 2018 and 4^th Quarter 2019

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 4^th Quarter 2019 Palay and Corn Production Survey

The province of Pangasinan recorded the least corn production in 4^th quarter 2019 with 13.76 percent of the total corn production in Ilocos Region. From 1,262 metric tons volume of production in 4^th quarter 2018, the corn production in the province went down to 1,061 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2019.  Although the yield per hectare improved from 4.21 metric tons to 4.37 metric tons, the harvest area decreased to 243 hectares from 300 hectares. Higher moisture content during the planting schedule did not permit more plantings.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
(Chief Administrative Officer)
Officer-in-Charge

DET/TBO