Kalinga rice production decreased by 56% in 2024 (from 203,161 MT in 2023 to 88,383 MT)

Tabuk City, Kalinga - A 56 percent decrease in rice production was recorded in the province of Kalinga in 2024, with only 88,383 metric tons (MT) from the 203,161 MT in 2023, based on the annual report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) - Kalinga.  

The average yield also fell slightly from 6.38 MT per ha in 2023 to 5.72 MT/ha in 2024. 

Of the total production last year, irrigated rice fields had a 99.41 percent share or 87,859.20 MT, while from the rain-fed and upland areas, there were 492 MT and 31.80 MT, respectively. 

According to OPAG-Kalinga, the decline could be attributed to the reduction of the total area planted with rice. From 31,856.16 ha in 2023, to only 15,448.86 ha cultivated in 2024. 

Another factor why the province had lesser production in 2024, said the OPAG, was due to the severe effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the onslaught of typhoons Kristine, Nika, Marce, and Pepito, which devastated many farms. 

Production per municipality/city in 2024  

Under the irrigated fields, Tabuk City recorded the highest harvest with 67,882 MT, followed by Rizal with 13,829.94 MT, Pinukpuk with 2,884 MT, and Tinglayan with 1,166.08 MT.

Smaller contributions came from Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, and Tanudan.  

Meanwhile, there were 492 MT from the 280 ha rain-fed ecosystem planted, while production in the upland ecosystem nearly vanished, with only 31.80 MT harvested from 24 ha, mostly in Rizal.  

Assistance given to affected farmers

Due to the setback in the province’s rice production, the Rice Banner Program of the Department of Agriculture, implemented by the provincial government through the OPAG, extended support to the affected farmers. 

The report obtained by Guru Press Cordillera on August 13 noted that a total of 2,322 rice farmers with two ha and below received P5,000 each in 2024, amounting to P11.66 million in cash assistance under the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.  

Under the same program, the farmers were also given hybrid and certified seeds, fertilizers, and discount vouchers, while monitoring was strengthened through the Farmers’ Monitoring Cards (FMC).  

In an interview, OPAG Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Sol G. Lawagan said that rice production in the province is expected to recover once weather conditions return to normal. The continuing provision of assistance to the affected farmers will add to a brighter prognosis.