In the face of severe weather disturbances, the Ilocos Region has reported a notable increase in rice and corn production during the third quarter of 2024. Despite the challenges posed by natural disasters, the region’s agricultural output has shown resilience and growth.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Ilocos, rice production from January to September 2024 reached 192,872 metric tons, marking a 2.81 percent increase from the 187,608 metric tons recorded in the same period the previous year. Ilocos Norte and La Union saw significant gains, with Ilocos Norte producing 47,807 metric tons compared to 43,194 metric tons last year, and La Union increasing from 14,143 metric tons to 15,546 metric tons. However, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan experienced slight declines, with Ilocos Sur dropping from 30,733 metric tons to 30,609 metric tons, and Pangasinan from 99,537 metric tons to 98,910 metric tons.
The increase in rice production occurred despite a decrease in the total area harvested for palay (unhusked rice), which went from 39,445 hectares to 39,120 hectares. The yield per hectare improved by 3.66 percent, rising from 4.76 metric tons to 4.93 metric tons.
Corn production also saw a significant rise, with the region producing 8,422.4 metric tons from January to September 2024, an 18.14 percent increase from the 7,129.1 metric tons produced in the same period last year. Ilocos Norte’s corn production surged from 529.61 metric tons to 1,066.60 metric tons, while Ilocos Sur increased from 2,456 metric tons to 3,234 metric tons. La Union’s production slightly rose from 723.54 metric tons to 737.79 metric tons. Conversely, Pangasinan saw a minor decrease from 3,420 metric tons to 3,384 metric tons. The harvested corn area expanded from 1,678 hectares to 1,843 hectares.
Jinnefer Pulamo, a project evaluation officer from the Department of Agriculture (DA), emphasized that the Ilocos Region remains self-sufficient in rice and corn. The DA continues to support the region with buffer stock and other interventions. Pulamo noted that the full impact of the weather disturbances on the region’s production will be assessed in the final quarter of the year, but expressed confidence in the region’s ongoing sufficiency.