WV 2nd largest rice producing region in the countryWith a production of 2,117, 598 metric tons (mt), Western Visayas ranked second among the 16 regions on palay production for calendar year 2008. Central Luzon top the rice producing regions with a production of 3,043,956 mt, Cagayan Valley ranked 3rd with a production of 2,094,373 mt, Ilocos region ranked 4th – 1,676,980 mt and SOCCSKSARGEN ranked 5th with a production of 1,234,868 mt in 2008. According to Director Larry P. Nacionales, DA-6 Regional Executive Director, the region has contributed 12.52% to the national rice production and has raised the rice sufficiency level from 110 in CY 2007 to 116 percent in CY 2008. He said that the region has an increase of 125,172 mt from 2007 production of 1,992,426 mt or and 18.10%contribution to the national production growth rate. The provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental have the highest rice production contribution of 942,286 MT and 432,527 MT, respectively. Iloilo has an impressive production growth of 14.44% due to the intensified use of location specific interventions (LSI), active participation of LGU agricultural extension workers and favorable weather condition that prompted to the increase on number of rice areas planted. Dir. Nacionales stressed that on the provincial level the province of Iloilo and Negros Occidental were ranked 3rd and 9th place, respectively. Other provinces also posted increase in rice production with the province of Capiz – 318,134 mt, Antique – 244,354 mt, and Guimaras – 50,979 mt while the province of Aklan suffered production setback with an 11.52% decrease in rice production due to decrease in area planted during the 1st quarter of 2008 and the infestation of pests and occurrence of diseases such as rice blast, blight, tungro and stem borer. Mr. Manuel O. Olanday, the Regional Rice Program coordinator said that the region has an average yield of 3.28 mt/ha and has a 7.41% increased in the total area planted from 601,595 hectares in 2007 to 646,197 hectares in 2008. He stressed that adoption of proper rice technology, such use of certified seeds, having the soil analyzed, proper fertilization and irrigation facilities were factors contributed to the increase in rice production. Mr. Olanday also recognized the importance of extension services conducted by the DA 6 such as 16 varietal technology demonstrations sites, ten palaycheck farmers field schools, seven batches of integrated pest management farmers fields schools, and 14 information caravans and technology forum which informed farmers of the latest farming practices. |
