The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing to increase corn production nationwide to address the supply shortfall, particularly for the livestock sector.
National Corn Program Director Milo Delos Reyes said Tuesday that the industry requires around 10 million metric tons (MMT) of corn annually, but current output is only about 6 MMT.
“We are intensifying the production of corn for next year, and this year, we are helping farmers by providing seeds, post-harvest facilities, fertilizer, and other interventions,” Delos Reyes said at the sidelines of the 18th National Corn Congress–Visayas Cluster in Iloilo City.
He noted that corn production has grown by three MMT over the past five years, but more must be done to balance supply and demand. While some regions produce surplus, areas like the Visayas lag behind due to fewer feed mills, except in Cebu and Iloilo.
In Western Visayas, DA Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia said officials are considering planting corn after rice in areas without irrigation during the dry season. The region currently has about 47,000 hectares of corn plantations.
Arpia underscored the importance of modern farm management, post-harvest facilities, storage, and the adoption of technologies such as bio-fertilizers, improved soil conditioning, and integrated pest management.
About 500 corn farmers and stakeholders are attending the three-day Visayas cluster congress, organized with the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. The event also featured DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Roger Navarro.
The congress aims to strengthen partnerships among farmers, government, and the private sector, encourage wider use of modern technologies, and highlight corn’s vital role in economic growth.