ILOILO City — Western Visayas posted a dramatic surge in palay (un-milled rice) production for the third quarter of 2025, with new government data showing that rain-fed areas — long seen as the region’s weakest link — powered an unexpected turnaround that more than doubled total output.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 6 reported a 127.4 percent jump in palay production, rising from 215,299 metric tons (MT) in the third quarter of 2024 to 489,640 MT this year, based on the latest Palay Production Survey released on Nov. 28.
The expansion occurred alongside a 132.6 percent increase in harvested area, which ballooned to 145,099 hectares from 62,392 hectares last year.
Rain-fed farms fuel gains
While irrigated farms posted a respectable 71.5 percent increase, rain-fed areas — typically vulnerable to erratic weather — recorded an extraordinary 192.1 percent jump in production, soaring from 99,912 MT to 291,808 MT.
The harvested area in rain-fed zones likewise expanded sharply by 188.4 percent, reaching 89,635 hectares.
The PSA said these changes reflect improved cultivation practices, wider planted area, and more favorable growing conditions across the region.
Iloilo accounts for nearly two-thirds of regional output
Iloilo Province once again emerged as the region’s rice powerhouse, contributing 61.4 percent or 300,693 MT of total output.
Capiz followed with 22 percent, Antique with 9.1 percent, Guimaras with 4.3 percent, and Aklan with 3.2 percent.
Iloilo also logged the biggest expansion in harvested area, adding 95.7 percentage points to the region’s growth after harvesting 89,011 hectares, more than triple its 2024 figure of 29,307 hectares.
Data exclude Negros Occidental
The PSA clarified that the report excludes Negros Occidental in line with Republic Act 12000, which created the Negros Island Region.
The agency described the results as crucial inputs for policy planning, particularly for rice sufficiency initiatives.
Strongest quarterly performance in recent years
Across ecosystems, irrigated fields produced 197,832 MT, while rain-fed areas delivered 291,808 MT, marking one of the region’s strongest quarterly performances in recent years.
The PSA said the combined increases underscore Western Visayas’ agricultural resilience and improving productivity despite external pressures.
The agency added that continued investment in farm infrastructure, climate-resilient technologies, and government support programs will be essential to sustaining the region’s momentum./PN
