In an effort to attain the 586,936 metric tons corn production target for CY 2020 in Ilocos region both in yellow and white corn, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I led by Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr. encouraged corn farmers to engage in planting off-season corn with the distribution of OPV white corn seeds in areas suitable for corn production this season.

Eight municipalities and one city in La Union and two municipalities in the province of Ilocos Norte received from DA through the Corn Banner Program a total 141 bags OPV certified corn seeds valued at Php368,144.10 in a series of distribution activity conducted recently by the Corn Program led by Ms. Rhoda Galban, the Program’s Focal Person and Ms. Wilma Ibea, Chief of the Ilocos Norte Research & Experiment Center in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

The municipalities of Santol, San Juan, Bauang, Bagulin, Naguilian, Aringay, Tubao, Pugo and the City of San Fernando were among the recipients of the project in La Union that received a total of 51 bags valued at P73,394.10.

On the other hand, the municipality of Pagudpud and San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte also received 90 bags of OPV corn seed distributed to 180 farmer-beneficiaries amounting to P294,750.00.

In the province of Ilocos Sur, a total of 20 bags will be distributed to 144 farmer-beneficiaries this third week of May.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Region remains the top corn yielder from among the 15 regions in the country with 5.95 tons/ha yield, 2.98 tons higher than the average yield in the country of 3.17 tons/ha. based on the latest production report made by the Corn Banner Program.

The distribution of OPV corn seeds is among the strategies being undertaken by the Corn Banner Program to increase corn production in the region aside from other production-related interventions such as the provision of farm machineries and equipment and irrigation facilities, including value-adding activities and market-driven support projects.

The distribution of OPV Corn seeds is a timely move by the Corn Banner Program following the start of off-season production scheduled this 16th of May until 16th of September every cropping season in addition to the Sept-January main cropping season and the January to May as the 2nd Cropping season in corn production.