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Title: Shift in planting focus to push up Philippines' Q1 corn output by 25 percent Post by: Slyfox on March 17, 2008, 12:45:49 PM Quote March 17, 2008 Corn production in the first quarter is forecast to exceed 2.2 million tonnes, up 25.4 percent from 1.7 million tonnes in 2007, due to a shift in planting focus. This figure that came from the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-Corn Program (GMA-Corn Program) exceeds the government's target of 2.1 million tonnes and the 8.1 percent growth targeted by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. Corn production in January-February 2008 reached 1.2 million tonnes and production for March is forecast to reach 1.1 million tonnes. The growth areas would be the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Autonomous Region and SOCCSKSARGEN, according to GMA-Corn Program director Dennis Araullo. He cited positive prices, good weather conditions and an increase of biofuel production as encouraging factors for farmers to shift to corn production. Rice farmers had also turned to corn farming, and many farmers in Iloilo had expanded corn-planting areas, prompting a significant conversion of unused land. Farmers in the municipality of Sara in Iloilo had also shifted to using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn from the traditional varieties as the herbicide-tolerant Bt-corn guarantees higher yield and income, according to Rosalie Ellasus, president of PhilMaize. short pa rin :( Title: Re: Shift in planting focus to push up Philippines' Q1 corn output by 25 percent Post by: nemo on March 17, 2008, 01:43:53 PM Government should re-assess their targets. They are proud of the increase production due to shifting from rice to corn farming.
Just a day ago they are stating that there is a possibility of rice shortage. ;D ;D ;D |