Corn Situationer in Agusan del Sur (Third Quarter 2023)

Corn Production in Agusan del Sur grows by 139.18 percent in Third Quarter of 2023

The volume of corn production in Agusan del Sur went up by 139.18 percent, from 13,587 metric tons during the third quarter of 2022 to 32,498 metric tons in the third quarter of 2023. This translates to an increase of 18,911 metric tons of corn produced during the two periods.

White corn which is primarily used for human consumption, but accounted less of the corn production at 39 percent compared to yellow corn 61 percent which is used generally as feed grains. Yellow corn includes other types of corn other than white corn.

The production of white corn growth by 143.96 percent, from 5,195 metric tons in third quarter of 2022 to 8,392 metric tons during the reference quarter.

Of the 32,498 metric tons of corn production in Agusan del Sur during the third quarter of 2023, about 87 percent or 28,235 metric tons were produced using Hybrid Seeds. In the same period of 2022, production using this seed type increased 85 percent of the total corn production in the province.

Production of corn using Native Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) totaled to 310 metric tons or 1 percent of the total corn production during quarter in review. In third quarter of 2022, production of corn using this type of seed accounted at 3 percent of the total production.

Meanwhile, 12 percent or 3,953 metric tons of corn production in the province utilized Modern OPV type of seeds. This is much higher than the reported 12 percent of corn production under this seed type during the third quarter of 2022.

Area harvested to Corn inclinedby 124.17 percentin the Third Quarter of 2023

During the third quarter of 2023, area harvested to corn in Agusan del Sur increased by 124.17 percent posting at 7,539 hectares from 3,363 hectares in same period of 2022.

In both periods, yellow corn comprised majority of the total area harvested in Agusan del Sur. An increase of 135.37 percent was noted on the area harvested to yellow corn, from 1,665 hectares of third quarter last year to 3,919 hectares in the third quarter of 2023. Moreover, area harvested to white corn went up by 113.37 percent, from 1,698 hectares in the third quarter of 2022 to 3,620 hectares in the same period of 2023.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Corn production, area and yield and other production data are generated from Corn Production Survey (CPS) which is one of the major agricultural surveys of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The CPS is conducted nationwide every quarter of each year. It aims to generate estimates that serve as inputs for policy making and programs on corn. Production data generated from the CPS are inputs to the Performance of Agriculture Report (PAR) and preparation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

• Production – refers to quantity produced and actually harvested during reference period. It includes those harvested but damaged, stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvesters’ and threshers’ shares, reserved, etc. Corn production from seed growers which are intended for seed purposes is excluded from the survey.

• White Corn – this type of corn is used primarily for human consumption.

• Yellow Corn – this type of corn is used generally as feed grains. They include all types of corn other than white.

• Hybrid Corn Variety - are the result of a repeated process of self-pollination of corn varieties of the same kind, called inbred lines. Different inbred lines are then crossed to produce hybrids. Hybrid varieties tend to have extended vigor and produced higher yield.

• Modern Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) - refer to corn seed materials which are grown for a longer period of time and maintained by natural cross pollination from generation to generation. These are purebred strains with seed that can be saved and planted from year to year. Open pollinated varieties will bred true if they are isolated from other varieties, avoiding cross-pollination. They are usually distinguished by their kernel color, kernel shape and other agronomic characteristics.

• Native OPV - refer to the indigenous varieties.

(Sgd.)DEMETRIO T. DEJOLDE, JR.
Chief Statistical Specialist