The Department of Agriculture has assured the public of sufficient corn supply in the wake of report that the country is having a shortage in its production.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the only challenge is to properly match the production of farmers and the needs of the corn end-users. He said that since feed users are competing to buy the summer crop for its superior quality, the move is believed to lead to shortage.

But Yap said the DA corn program which allows corn farmers to plant during the months of February to April will enable them to harvest during the lean months.

Data cited by National Corn Program Director Dennis Araullo show that corn production this year is higher compared to last year's.

Araullo said there is a projected seven percent increase in production from January to June 2007 compared to last year's first half level.

Moreover, Yap said the increase in local corn prices is merely a reflection of what is happening in international markets which has also increased corn prices of the higher worldwide demand for corn due to biofuel use.

Figures of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics indicate that corn was selling at P9.10 per kilo last year while this year, prices soared by P1.33 increase.

Although 2007 is a good year for corn farmers, Yap said there is also a need to balance the impact of strong corn prices on livestock prices.

DA records show the Philippines is aiming a corn production of 6.917 million metric tons this year or an increase of 835,000 MTs from its 2006 production.*NLG

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