The data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed an increase of 1.65 millon metric tons (MT) to the national rice production for the year 2017 compared to the 2016 production.

As per statistics, for the year 2017, a total 19.28 million MT of palay were produced compared to 17.63 million MT last 2016 or a 9.63% increment.

To this, Central Luzon has contributed 3.63 million MT from the total national rice production or almost 19% proving itself again as the Rice Granary of the Philippines.

The increased was due to sufficient irrigation, favorable weather conditions, and higher yielding seed varieties cited PSA.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture agenda now is towards rice productivity and competitiveness.###