The Department of Agriculture will plant an additional 100,000 hectares to Corn and another 100,000 hectares to Sorghum this year to support the growth of the poultry and hog industry of the country.
The additional 100,000 hectares to be planted to corn will be on top of what has already been covered by farmers this cropping season.
The 100,000 hectares for Sorghum will be new areas mostly located in marginal lands which have been largely under-utilized, including Ancestral Domain Areas of the Indigenous People.
The DA is also seeking the approval of the Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of Corn at lower tariffs to fill up the shortfall caused by El Niño on the country feed crops.
The expansion of the Corn areas, the opening of another 100,000 for Sorghum and the importation of 300,000-MT of corn is part of the preparation of the DA for the expected dramatic growth of the hog and poultry sector this year.
The Philippine Hog Industry is expected to benefit from the woes of countries affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF), especially China which culled millions of breeders across the country.
With China importing huge volumes of pork as a result of the ASF devastation, pork world market prices have gone up giving the Filipino hog farmers a respite from the inflow of cheaper imported pork.
In fact, some large hog production groups are now eyeing the export of Philippine pork to China, a move which could create a supply shortage in the local market.
With available local feed materials like Corn and Sorghum, local hog and poultry raisers could increase their production while at the same time reduce production cost.
On Monday, Corn and Sorghum Seeds companies met with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Regional Directors to plan out the expansion program.
Hybrid Corn seeds producers said they have seeds stocks good for 110,000 hectares while the Sorghum seeds producers said they could bring in the planting materials within the next 45 days.
Most of the expansion areas will be done in Mindanao where planting of Corn was delayed because of the effects of El Niño.
The Corn Expansion is expected to increase production for this year by 600,000 metric tons while Sorghum is projected to contribute 400,000 metric tons.
(Photos show the meeting of the DA Secretary with Corn and Sorghum Seeds Producers and selected Regional Directors of the DA at the BPI Office in Manila Monday.)
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