Zamboanga 2008 Agriculture Production Down. Corn Dropped 17%

The Philippines' National Census and Statistics Board reported lower agricultural production in Zamboanga peninsula for 2008: palay dropped 0.44%, camote by 5%, corn by 17.24%, abaca by 19%. Higher production was reported for calamansi (9.72%) and cassava (5.57%).

Total palay production output during January to December 2008 for Zamboanga Peninsula decreased by about 0.44 percent or 2,449 metric tons(MT) lower compared to the same period last year (CY 2007) due to decrease in available area for harvesting by about 2.0 percent.

This decrease is due to the damage caused by a flash flood during the 4th quarter of 2008 particularly in Salug valley area in Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga Sibugay also suffered from a flash flood last March 8, 2008 that affected the areas of about 499 hectares in Imelda, Diplahan, Siay and partly in Payao.

Tropical depressions Buchoy and Frank also damaged 32 hectares in mid-year, affecting palay production in Zamboanga City.

Total corn production output in Zamboanga Peninsula for January-December 2008 dipped 17.24 percent or 37,870MT. lower compared last year (CY 2007) due to continuous rainfall experienced by almost all provinces in the region, particularly in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay in which 186 hectares were flooded during the first quarter of 2008.

Harvest area also decreased by 16.25 percent due to significant number of marginal farmers temporarily stopped planting corn attributed to high cost of fertilizers. Some farmers shifted to cash crops that can be grown without fertilizer application like Cassava, Mongo and Peanuts.


The selected crops production of Zamboanga Peninsula for calendar year 2008 registered a slight decrease of 1.41 percent or 32,612.89MT. lower compared to the preceding year.

Highlights:

• Abaca dropped 19.92 percent due to lack of striping machine for marginal area, particularly in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
• Camote dropped 5.30 percent due to excessive rainfall during the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2008 in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
• Coconut w/ husk (Matured and Young) dropped by 1.69 percent due to lower yield attributed by long dry spell experienced in some parts of the region beginning 2007.
• Mango dropped in production due to excessive rain causing failure of artificial induction to produce fruits.
• Rubber reduces its volume of production due to defoliations, in some parts of Zamboanga del Sur during the 4th quarter of 2008.
• Calamansi posted an increase of 9.72 due to demand of juice making and processing in both Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City.
• Banana and Cabbage increased 2.55 percent and 0.53 percent, respectively due to demand and good market value.
• Cassava increased 5.57 percent due increase in area planted, plus support of the San Miguel Corporation and Local Government Units (LGU’s).

Source: NCSB Press Release