PALAY production in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental significantly decreased during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year.

Data from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Northern Mindanao office showed Misamis Oriental only produced 4,798 metric tons (MT) during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the 5,016 MT production in the same period last year while Lanao del Norte only had 16,322 MT compared to its 17,778 MT record last year.

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Misamis Occidental, on the other hand, only produced 17,786 MT in the first quarter compared to the 20,182 MT production recorded during the same period last year.

The decrease in palay production in Misamis Oriental was attributed to the occurrence of flashfloods in the province in early January, which damaged crops and irrigation facilities, while Lanao del Norte suffered stemborer attack and tungro infestations, specifically in the municipalities of Lala, Sapad, Kapatagan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

In Misamis Occidental, most farmers in some areas had a change in their planting schedules, which contributed to the decrease in the production of palay for the province.

However, data showed that despite the decrease in the production of palay in Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental, the overall yield for Northern Mindanao has increased from 126,107 MT in 2008 to 146,958 MT in the first quarter of 2009.

The production rise was attributed to the increase in areas with sufficient irrigation and availability of seeds as well as sufficient rainfall, particularly in the provinces of Camiguin and Bukidnon.

Camiguin managed a whooping increase of 89.83 percent from its 2008 first quarter record of 118 MT to 224 MT in 2009 due to the full operation of its irrigation canals, which have been rehabilitated last year.

Bukidnon, being Northern Mindanao's center for agriculture, produced 107,828 MT in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the 83,013 MT production in the same period last year.