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MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' palay harvest in the first quarter may reach 4.025 million metric tons amid favorable weather, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The agency earlier forecast production to hit four million metric tons, or 0.4 percent above last year’s 4.009 million.
Dante Delima, DA National Rice Program coordinator, said the agency is tracking rice production and inventory to ensure supply is sufficient and the target of lower imports is met.
“Definitely, we will achieve rice self-sufficiency after 2013,” Delima said.
The Philippine has cut rice imports to 500,000 tons this year, from 860,000 tons in 2011 and 2.4 million tons in 2010.
As for corn, the DA forecast first-quarter harvest to reach 1.905 million metric tons, or 0.3 percent lower than the earlier estimate of 1.911 million.
The agency blamed the lower forecast on excessive rainfall, strong wind, flash flood and the occurrence of corn borer in major corn producing provinces.
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