DA: Philippine Corn production to reach 8.2 million MT this year – Exporting 100,000 MT to Korea

Despite losses from typhoons, corn production is expected to reach a record 8.2 million metric tons this year, with at least 150,000 MT in surplus, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.

 

Third quarter corn production is expected at 2.6 million MT, up from 2.4 million MT in the same period last year, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Corn Program Coordinator Edilberto de Luna told reporters in a briefing.

 

He said actual production this year is expected to reach 8.2 million MT, up 10 percent from 7.408 million MT in 2012, which will make the Philippine self-sufficient in corn by year-end with a surplus estimated between 150,000 MT and 200,000 MT.

 

In the first half, De Luna said corn harvests reached 4.4 million MT.

 

Preliminary data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed corn output was 3.32 million MT in January to June.

 

"Barring further calamity, we are confident we will be able to reach 8.2 million MT," he said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

 

He said this is because of quality seeds and extension activities – which include training and delivery of technology, investments in mechanization and improvement of harvest facilities to stem losses.

 

Shipping to South Korea

 

In August, typhoons Labuyo and Maring left 99,125 hectares of corn farms damaged, with losses reaching 203,319 MT valued at P2.13 billion.

 

The corn sector lost an another 12 MT worth P372,600, with seven hectares of corn crops damaged beyond recovery during Typhoon Odette in September.

 

Out of the surplus corn, producers, particularly the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize), is planning to export 100,000 MT.

 

"We can recommend this volume to the NFA (National Food Authority) Council because this is the volume that can be produced through proper post-harvest drying," De Luna said.

 

PhilMaize president Roger Navarro said they are waiting for the NFA Council to approve their application to ship quality corn to interested foreign buyers. The NFA Council is still deliberating on the petition.

 

De Luna said surplus corn is to be shipped to South Korea.

 

"We are negotiating with South Korea on the requirements. We are also eyeing Malaysia for exports but South Korea is the priority," the Agriculture official added.

 

Next year, the Agriculture Department expects corn production to reach between 8.4 million MT and 8.7 million MT.

 

The DA-National Corn Program is asking for a budget of P1.797 billion next year, up 19 percent from P1.5 billion this year.

 

"The additional production would come from additional areas, which are coconut areas totaling 300,000 hectares of coconut areas that can be planted with corn," De Luna said.

 

The DA National Corn Program is partnering with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to implement the inter-cropping initiative.

 

The DA is also encouraging more private sector investments in post harvest facilities to increase the percentage of produce covered by proper post-harvest drying.

 

Post-harvest losses were reduced to 12.9 percent in 2012 from 15 percent in 2011 as a result of investments in drying and processing facilities.

 

By 2014, the DA targets to reduce it further to 9 percent. – VS, GMA News

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China Asked Korea Not to Sell Jets to Philippines - Confirmed by Officials

2 F/A-50 Aircraft (Front) 3 S-211 Aircraft (Back)

China asked Korea not to sell FA-50 fighter jets to the Philippines, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Saturday. The daily said Beijing made the request ahead of a summit in Seoul between President Park Geun-hye and Philippines President Benigno Aquino on Oct. 17.

 

Korea declined, saying it cannot accept "interference" in arms exports, an issue of its national interest, according to the daily.

 

In their meeting, Park thanked Aquino for Manila's decision to buy the FA-50 jets and urged a speedy signing of the contract.

 

A government official here said, "The Philippines is engaged in a territorial dispute with China over the Spratly Islands, and that appears to be why Beijing protested several times through the Chinese Embassy and other channels."

 

The government has officially denied the Yomiuri report, but officials privately admit it.

 

"Every time the Korean or Filipino media reported on the FA-50 sale, China reacted sensitively trying to confirm the reports through diplomatic channels," a government source said.

 

But the official added the sale will go ahead.

 

The Spratly Islands consist of around 30,000 tiny islands and reefs occupied by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

 

China has dispatched Navy ships to the South China Sea to bolster its presence there. The Philippines increased troop presence on the islands late last year and established a separate military command to handle their defense. Manila also recently decided to move some of its naval and air force bases near the South China Sea.

 

There is speculation that the Philippines is acquiring the FA-50 jets to defend the Spratly Islands.

 

The FA-50 is a light attack fighter jet based on the T-50 trainer jet. It can handle air-to-air and air-to-ground operations as well as taking on gunboats.

 

The Philippines is also in talks with Korea to spend US$650 million to purchase Korean-made frigates.

 

China is also engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea with Indonesia and Vietnam, which have either bought or are about to buy Korean weapons.

 

Indonesia signed deals in 2011 to buy 16 T-50 trainers for $400 million as well as three 1,200-ton submarines.

 

Vietnam held its first military talks with Korea last year to expand cooperation in the field.        

 

Source: The Chusonilbo

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