The rice and corn sectors are expected to exceed last year's production despite adverse weather conditions this year, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said.

Rice production in the first half of the year could reach 6.68 million metric tons before milling, up 2.2 percent from 6.54 million metric tons in the same period in 2006, the bureau said in a press release.

Western Visayas, along with the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Socsargen, are expected to post significant gains in rice production in the first half.

Corn production is expected to reach 2.73 million metric tons, up five percent from 2.6 million metric tons last year, the bureau press release said. These will be in spite of rains and cold weather in January and a dry spell that started in February, it said.

The government is counting on the planting of corn and rice in more areas to boost production this year.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier said the Department of Agriculture would try to put in place the needed infrastructure and post-harvest facilities before the onset of the rainy season, including dryers and storage areas.

The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P3.13 billion for rehabilitation, repair and restoration of irrigation systems, covering 55,000 hectares of rice lands, in the first half of the year.

For corn, the regions of Cagayan Valley, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga and Ilocos are expected to contribute significantly to an increase in production, the press release said.

The harvest area may expand 4.7 percent to 1.06 million hectares by June from 1.01 million hectares last year, the bureau said.

Third-quarter corn harvest area and production are expected to grow 3.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, it added.*

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