Bataan palay production decreased during the fourth quarter of 2023

Palay production in the province of Bataan decreased by 3.42 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. The production reached a volume of 38,959.41 metric tons. This is 1,381.59 metric tons lower than the same quarter in 2022. The decrease in palay production in the province of Bataan was attributed to the Irrigated ecosystem.

Palay performance, by type of ecosystem

In terms of distribution, Irrigated palay ecosystem contributed a bigger share of 97.40% of the total palay. It was estimated at 37,948.18 metric tons or lower by 3.66 percent than last year’s production of 39,390.00 metric tons.

On the other hand, the Rainfed palay ecosystem shared 2.60% of the total production in the province in the fourth quarter of 2023. Rainfed palay increased in production in 2023. The production of 1,011.23 metric tons was higher by 6.33% compared to 2022. (Figure 1).

^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey}

Bataan’s percent share on total production of Central Luzon

In terms of contribution to the total production in Central Luzon, the province of Bataan ranked sixth. The province shared 3.02% to the total regional production of 1,288,429.09 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The biggest volume of production came from the province of Nueva Ecija  with 44.52% share or 573,604.17 metric tons. The province of Tarlac ranked second with 22.74% share or 292,979.81 metric tons, while the province of Aurora ranked the least with 2.32% share or 29,896.00 metric tons contribution to the region’s total production in the fourth quarter of 2023. (Figure 2).

^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey}

Palay area harvested decreased during the fourth quarter of 2023

The total area harvested of palay in the province of Bataan was estimated at 10,221.32 hectares in the fourth quarter of 2023. This is 4.06% lower than the 2022 estimate of the same quarter. By ecosystem, the area harvested for irrigated palay was at 9,904.32 hectares. The area decreased by 4.17% or 430.98 hectares lower than the area harvested in the same quarter of 2022.

In addition, the area harvested for Rainfed palay decreased by 0.63% compared last year. The 319 hectares harvested area in 2022 decreased by 2 hectares with a total of 317 hectares in the fourth quarter of 2022. (Figure 3).

^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey}

On the other hand, the average yield of palay in the province of Bataan went up to 3.81 from 3.79 metric tons per hectare during the fourth quarter of 2023.  

By ecosystem, Irrigated palay was recorded at 3.83 from 3.81 metric tons per hectare in 2022. Further, Rainfed palay also increased from 2.98 metric tons per hectare to 3.19 metric tons per hectare during the same period in 2022 (Figure 4).

 ^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey}

  ^{Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey}

FRANCISCO P. CORPUZ
Chief Statistical Specialist