PALO, Leyte – The province of Leyte will continue to maintain its lead as a rice producer in the region.
Thus said Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla who said that his administration will continue to extend full support to farmers as a way to ensure that the status of the province as a rice producer could be maintained.
The support to farmers includes, among others, the provision of agricultural equipment to supplies needed in rice growing which is under the governor’s More Income in the Countryside (MIC) program.
Gov. Petilla said that the provincial and municipal agricultural technicians are working together in providing the technical support to the rice farmers.
He said that he is optimistic that with the support given by his office to the rice farmers under the banner of MIC, the farmers will become more productive.
Based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-8), Leyte was the highest producer in rice production in Eastern Visayas in the 4th quarter of 2020.
Leyte contributed the biggest share in palay production in Eastern Visayas at 148,509 MT during the 4th quarter of 2020.
“It comprised more than half or 54.6 percent of the total palay production in the region. Samar came next with 54,859 MT production, accounting for 20.2 percent of the region’s total palay production,” PSA Regional Director Wilma Perante said.
Perante also reported that palay production in the region has slightly increased by 1.4 percent, from 268,382 metric tons (MT) in the 4th quarter of 2019 to 272,182 MT in the same quarter of 2020.
This is attributed to the minimal or 0.1 percent change in the total area harvested for palay from 72,797 hectares (has.) in the 4th quarter of 2019 to 72,892 has in the same quarter of 2020.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
