The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging farming and gardening enthusiasts in Calabarzon to explore corn farming. In an interview on Thursday, Fidel Libao, the DA’s regional technical director for Research, Regulations and Integrated Laboratories Division in the region, said the demand for corn is very high, and corn farming would make a very good profit. ‘As a livestock region, the requirement of corn here in Calabarzon is very high. Right now, we provide intervention such as corn seed, fertilizer and other things used in corn farming, such as our updates in technology so that we can enhance the corn planting program,’ Libao said. Corn is considered the secondary staple food of Filipinos next to rice. Likewise, eating corn is ‘good for the health and bodybuilding… and is less likely to cause diabetes,’ said Libao, who is also the DA’s regional corn focal person. He pointed out that aside from human consumption, corn is also used by poultry and hog raisers as the main ingredient in animal feeds. However, Libao said the local production of corn in Calabarzon is low despite the high demand in the market. “Most corn still comes from other provinces that are used to feed the chickens [in the region],” the DA official said. “Right now, our target corn yield in one hectare is seven tons. Our current record is very low, reaching only about four tons,’ he added. He underscored that his office continues to provide training to farmers to ensure the produced corn has proper nutrition as they continue to enhance its production. “It’s interesting that while our farmers’ crops are growing, they are also making money. While the farmer has made money, we were also able to supply more to our poultry and hog raisers,” Libao stressed. Currently, the province of Quezon has the most corn farmers in the region due to its large areas available for farming. Likewise, Libao sees a very good opportunity in Batangas as ‘many sugarcane planters have switched to corn.’ ‘We already had a seminar in the eastern part of Batangas, in Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy and Balayan. We expect corn production to rise,’ he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
