Palay
Palay production in llocos Region in 2nd quarter 2020 grew by 2.94 percent. The volume of production was recorded at 163,467 metric tons, higher than the 158,805 metric tons output in 2nd quarter 2019. The harvest area expanded to 34,062 hectares from 33,228 hectares due availability of seeds and free fertilizers, and repair of irrigation facilities. Likewise, the yield per hectare improved from 4.78 metric tons to 4.80 metric tons. All the provinces, except La Union, posted increment in output.
The province of Pangasinan is the highest in terms of palay production in the llocos Region in 2nd quarter 2020 with 72.16 percent share. The production was recorded at 117,967 metric tons, higher by 1.95 percent from the output in the same period in 2019. The harvest area expanded to 25,046 hectares from 24,464 hectares due to repair of irrigation facilities along service areas of the National lrrigation Administration (NlA) in eastern part of the province. However, the yield per hectare went down from 4.73 metric tons to 4.71 metric tons due to insufficient water during the reproductive stage.
The province of llocos Norte followed far behind with 16.28 percent share to the total palay production in the region in 2nd quarter 2020. lts output of 26,610 metric tons was higher by 1.84 percent compared with the 26,130 metric tons output in 2nd quarter 2019. The harvest area increased from 5,080 hectares to 5,108 hectares due to availability of seeds from the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office I (DA- RFO l) and Local Government Units (LGUs). The yield per hectare likewise improved from 5.14 metric tons to 5.21 metric tons due to increased usage of high yielding varieties, availability of free fertilizers from LGUs and sufficient water supply.
The province of La Union is third highest in terms of palay production in 2nd quarter 2020 with 6.05 percent of the total palay production in llocos Region. From the output of 10,303 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2019, it went down to 9,882 metric tons this year due to shifting to seed and young corn production. Thus, the harvest area decreased from 2,396 hectares to 2,167 hectares. However, the yield per hectare grew from 4.30 metric tons 4.56 metric tons due to increased usage of high quality seeds.
llocos Sur recorded the least volume of palay production with 5.51 percent of the total palay production in the region in 2nd quarter 2020. Palay output of the province during the period posted positive growth of 35.30 percent. From 6,658 metric tons production in the same period last year, it grew to 9,008 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2020. Harvest area increased from 1,288 hectares to 1,741 hectares due to shifting from cauliflower and cabbage and additional area from fallow land. Yield per hectare was almost stable at 5.1 7 metric tons,
Corn
Corn production in llocos Region posted positive growth of 9.06 percent in 2nd quarter 2020. From the production of 154,200 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2019, it grew to 168,176 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2020. Expansion of harvest area and improvement in the yield per hectare were noted. The increased demand for 'nilaga' and grilled corn, coupled with the movement of harvest from 1st quarter 2020 resulted to the 8.58 percent increase in area harvested from 26,651 hectares harvested last year. The yield per hectare also improve from 5.79 metric tons to 5.81 metric tons due to increased usage of high quality seeds and presence of favorable rains during the vegetative and reproductive stages.
Pangasinan ranked first in terms of volume of production with 58.66 percent share to the total corn production output of llocos Region in 2nd quarter 2020. The province's output reached to 98,656 metric tons from 91,344 metric tons production in 2nd quarter 2019. The harvest area increased from 15,561 hectares lo 16,747 hectares due to movement of harvest from 1st quarter 2020. The yield per hectare likewise improved from 5.87 metric tons to 5.89 metric tons.
llocos Sur shared 24.67 percent to the total corn production in the region in 2nd quarter 2020. lts production grew from 35,083 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2019 to 41,497 metric tons this year. Additional plantings to catch up with the increased demand for "nilaga" and grilled corn and movement of harvest from 1st quarter 2020 expanded the harvest area by 18.63 percent from the 6,114 hectares reported in the same period last year. On the other hand, the yield per hectare went down from 5.74 metric tons to 5.72 metric tons due to smaller cobs harvested.
llocos Norte accounted for 9.83 percent of the total corn production in the region in 2nd quarter 2020. lts corn production of 16,527 metric tons was 3.84 percent higher than the production of 15,916 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2019. lncreased plantings from fallow land, use of high quality seeds and occurrence of favorable rains contributed to the overall gains in production. Both the harvest area and yield per hectare registered positive growth of 0.93 percent and 2.88 percent, respectively.
The province of La Union recorded the least corn production in 2nd quarter 2020 with 6.84 percent of the total corn production in llocos Region. lts output decline by 3.04 percent from 11,857 metric tons in 2nd quarter 2019 to 11,496 metric tons this 2nd quarter 2020. The harvest area decreased from 2,284 hectares to 2,220 hectares due to shifting to tobacco. The yield per hectare also went down from 5.19 metric tons to 5.18 metric tons.
SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
Officer-in-Charge, RSSO I
