By Romeo Braceros Jr.

According to the Department of Agriculture-11 (DA-11), the production of palay increased over the previous three to four years in the Davao Region.

“We registered a little increase, which is very vital. We have registered an increase in hectarage despite the urbanization of many areas in the region,” DA-11 regional director Abel James Monteagudo said during a virtual press conference.

The statistics for the entire production of palay in 2022 have yet to be made public by DA-Davao, although in 2021 and 2020, 484,725 and 466,764 metric tons, respectively, were produced.

According to Jayvee Tyron Uy, chair of the Regional Development Council in Davao and a former governor of Davao de Oro, rice sufficiency in the region rose from 47% in 2016 to 54% in 2021.

Since the DA is renovating irrigation facilities in the area in conjunction with concerned government organizations, Monteagudo stated they anticipate a further increase in play production.