LINGAYEN–White and yellow corn will be planted in 49,042 hectares of farmland around Region 1 in the fourth quarter of the year to maintain its status as the top producer of quality corn in the country.

Pangasinan leads other provinces in the region with 27,904 hectares, followed by La Union with 2,950 hectares, Ilocos Norte with 7,772 hectares and Ilocos Sur with 10,417 hectares.

Luzon-wide Corn Coordinator Edgardo Rubio of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 1 said a total harvest of 271,726 metric tons at 5.02 metric tons per hectare is expected.

Rubio, speaking during the 2007 First Semester Regionwide Corn Assessment and Planning Workshop, said the good weather condition, support from the local government units, and the active participation of corn farmers contributed to the region’s success.

The DA provides a subsidy of P2,000 for the procurement of hybrid seeds and a 50% subsidy for Open Pollinated Variety seeds.

It also subsidizes the procurement of micro-biological fertilizer to help farmers lessen their production costs.

The DA, in cooperation with the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR), is also set to establish a Post-Harvest Processing and Trading Center for corn to reduce corn processing costs as well as ensure quality produce.

The project, to be undertaken through a Build-Operate-and-Transfer scheme will have facilities such as warehouse, drying and shelling machines, conveying systems and accessories, hauling truck and other tools and equipment.

NABCOR will shoulder 75% of the project cost while the remaining 25% will be funded by joint venture partners that include the Local Government Units, cooperatives and private sector investors.#

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