The province of Pangasinan shared 75.0 percent of the total palay production in Region I in 2nd quarter 2018. Its palay production went down from 123,083 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2017 to 120,589 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2018 due to unrealized planting intentions and shifting to white corn. However, the overall yield per hectare improved from 4.61 metric tons to 4.69 metric tons due to the presence of favorable rains and distribution of additional shallow tube wells and pumps.

The province of Ilocos Norte, which ranked second in terms of volume of palay production in 2nd quarter 2018 registered positive growth in production. The output during the quarter was posted at 25,827 metric tons, higher than the 21,912 metric tons recorded in the same period last year. The harvest area has expanded from 4,406 hectares to 5,062 hectares due to shifting from tomato and tobacco, and some plantings supposed to be harvested in the 1st quarter were harvested during the period. The yield per hectare also improved from 4.97 metric tons to 5.10 metric tons due to the presence of favorable rains and higher utilization of hybrid seeds.

For the province of La Union, its palay production decreased by 18.3 percent in 2nd quarter 2018. From the production of 10,548 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2017, it went down to 8,615 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2018. Lesser service area covered by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – Amburayan restricted plantings. The overall yield per hectare, however, improved from 4.54 metric tons to 4.83 metric tons.

The province of Pangasinan, which ranked first in terms of volume of production in 2nd quarter 2018, posted positive growth in output in 2nd quarter 2018. From the output of 92,772 metric tons a year ago, it went up to 98,404 metric tons this year. More plantings were observed due availability of high-quality seeds and encouraging price and shifting from onion production. The overall yield per hectare also increased from 5.75 metric tons to 5.79 metric tons.

The province of Ilocos Sur registered a decline in corn production in 2ndquarter 2018. Its output went down from 34,369 metric tons in the same period last year to 31,809 metric tons this year. More areas were already harvested in 1stquarter, thus lesser harvest area during the period was noted. The overall yield per hectare also declines from 5.65 metric tons to 5.62 metric tons due to the effect of rainfall in June 2018.

Corn production of Ilocos Norte increased from 16,903 metric tons in 2ndquarter 2017 to 17,640 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2018. Increased plantings were noted due to shifting from tobacco and mongo. The overall yield per hectare also grew from 5.82 metric tons to 5.87 metric tons due to increased usage of high-quality seeds and fertilizers, and presence of favorable rains.