Palay and corn production in Region I went down in 4th quarter 2018 compared with their respective level in 4th quarter 2017.

Palay

Palay production in 4th quarter 2018 was posted at 1,077,471 metric tons lower than the estimate in 4th quarter 2017 of 1,209,896 metric tons. The harvest area decreased from 271,775 hectares to 266,354 hectares, and the yield per hectare dropped from 4.45 metric tons to 4.05 metric tons.

 

The province of Ilocos Norte, which ranked second in terms of volume of palay production in 4th quarter 2018, realized an output of 177,897 metric tons. This is lower by 20.6 percent than the output in 4th quarter 2017 of 224,001 metric tons. Some plantings were already harvested in 3rd quarter 2018 and some areas were silted and washed out during the occurrence of Typhoon Ompong. The harvest area decreased from 45,133 hectares to 43,173 hectares while the yield per hectare declined from 4.96 metric tons to 4.12 metric tons. 

 

Similarly, palay production in Ilocos Sur went down in 4th quarter 2018. From the output of 181,713 metric tons in the same period in 2017, it went down to 149,140 metric tons due to some plantings that were already harvested in 3rd quarter 2018 and Typhoon Ompong that damaged some areas. The harvest area shrunk from 38,286 hectares to 37,382 hectares while the overall yield per hectare plunged from 4.75 metric tons to 3.99 metric tons. 

 

Palay production of La Union also went down from 137,582 metric tons in 4th quarter 2017 to 107,508 metric tons in 4th quarter 2018. Some plantings were flooded and damaged by Typhoon Rosita and Ompong. There were also areas that were converted to commercial establishments, residential, and farm to market roads. Harvest area decreased from 28,541 hectares to 26,966 hectares. The overall yield per hectare also dropped from 4.82 metric tons to 3.99 metric tons. 

 

Corn 

 

Corn production of Region I decreased by 3.9 percent with 7,924 metric tons output in 4th quarter 2018 from 8,247 metric tons output in 4th quarter 2017. All the provinces, except Ilocos Norte, posted lower production. The harvest area contracted from 1,998 hectares to 1,933 hectares due to lesser plantings attributed to high soil moisture content during the planting schedule. The overall yield per hectare also declined from 4.13 metric tons to 4.10 metric tons.  

 

Ilocos Sur, which ranked first in terms of volume of production in the 4th quarter 2018, registered a decline in corn output during the period. From 2,945 metric tons production in 4th quarter 2017, it went down to 2,840 metric tons due to damages brought by Typhoon Ompong in some areas. Thus, the harvest area decreased from 718 hectares to 699 hectares. The overall yield per hectare also dropped from 4.10 metric tons to 4.06 metric tons. 

 

On the contrary, corn production of Ilocos Norte increased from 2,617 metric tons in 4th quarter 2017 to 2,646 metric tons in 4th quarter 2018. Increased plantings of white corn due to high demand may have contributed to the overall increment in output. However, the overall yield per hectare dropped from 4.55 metric tons to 4.41 metric tons due to strong winds and heavy rains during Typhoon Ompong. 

 

In 4th quarter 2018, Pangasinan registered a production of 1,262 metric tons, lower by 14.3 percent than the production recorded in the same quarter of 2017. Lesser plantings were observed due to frequent rains during the planting period. The overall yield per hectare, on the other hand, improved from 4.13 metric tons to 4.21 metric tons due to increased usage of high quality seeds. 

 

 

The province of La Union registered lower corn production in 4th quarter 2018 compared with its level a year ago. From 1,212 metric tons volume of production in 4th quarter 2017, it went down to 1,176 metric tons in the same period of 2018. Late plantings were observed due to high soil moisture content during the planting period. Meanwhile, the overall yield per hectare went up from 3.48 metric tons to 3.52 metric tons due to increased usage of hybrid seeds. 

 

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TECHNICAL NOTES 

 

• The Palay and Corn Production Survey (PCPS) consists of two national quarterly surveys which are conducted simultaneously. These are the Palay Production Survey (PPS) and Corn Production Survey (CPS). The surveys generate estimates on palay and corn production, area and yield and other production-related data that serve as inputs for policymaking and programs on palay/rice and corn. The PCPS covers sample-farming households in sample barangays in all provinces. It is conducted quarterly with the following quarters as the reference periods: 

April Round Survey - January to March 

July Round Survey - April to June 

October Round Survey - July to September 

January Round Survey - October to December 

 

• The objective of the survey is to generate estimates and forecasts on palay and corn area, production, and yield. 

 

• The purpose of this survey is to provide data inputs for policies and programs on rice and corn. 

 

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN

(Chief Administrative Officer)           

Office-in-Charge