There is a need to import corn next year due to the high demand for corn products, according to Magsasaka party-list Rep. Argel Cabatbat.
He says the Department of Agriculture will be importing at least 600 metric tons of corn next year due to the high demand that allowed the poultry industry to flourish.
While the country’s corn production has exhibited an increase, he says, the supply of corn cannot exceed the demand in the market.
More corn is produced than any other grain crop since it is a staple food for many people and a major component of livestock feed.
“There is a high demand for corn for feeds since most hog raisers have shifted to poultry farming due to the African swine fever,” Cabatbat said.
But he lamented that the farm gate price of corn had plunged to P11 per kilo from P13.
Because of the recent typhoons, many corn farms had been devastated, severely affecting the corn industry.
Before, the corn surplus in the Philippines could reach 314 metric tons, he said, adding “there is now a shortage due to the poultryindustry’s high demand.
Even corn oil is being substituted with imported vegetable oil, Cabatbat says.
He says he is optimistic that Agriculture Secretary William Dar will push through with his proposal for a farm clustering or farm consolidation to strengthen corn production in a bid to meet the high demand for corn products.
Pilot projects of farm consolidation are being implemented in seven provinces, Cabatbat says.
Roger Navarro, Philippine Maize Federation president, said earlier it was high time the government implemented Republic Act 7607 or the Magna Carta for Small Farmers due to the low farm-gate prices of corn.
While the corn industry is generating P80 billion in gross domestic income, the government is only allocating a P1-billion budget for corn farmers.