MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report showing higher palay and corn harvests in the first half of 2025, crediting improved weather and sustained government support for the output gains.

“Palay and corn production for the January–June semester gives us hope for a better year for agriculture despite the challenges we now face,” said Tiu Laurel. “Mother Nature permitting, and with the help of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and lawmakers, we are cautiously optimistic that we could post a record harvest this year.”

PSA data showed palay production reached 9.08 million metric tons from January to June, a 6.4 percent increase from 8.53 million tons in the same period last year. Total area planted to palay rose by 2.7 percent to 2.12 million hectares, boosted by a 9.2 percent increase in second-quarter planting as farmers took advantage of heavier rainfall in rainfed areas. Irrigated rice lands also expanded year-on-year.

The Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration also rolled out double-dry cropping programs to boost output further.

With the first half typically accounting for more than 40 percent of annual palay production, the department said the country could surpass its 2025 target of 20.46 million metric tons—higher than the 20.06 million-ton record in 2023. Last year’s harvest dropped to around 19.09 million tons due to alternating drought and flooding brought by El Niño and La Niña.

Corn production also improved, rising by 5.2 percent to 3.9 million tons. Second-quarter output climbed by 27 percent to 1.5 million tons, offsetting a 5 percent decline in the first quarter.

Despite the uptick in harvest, total area planted to corn dipped slightly to 1.049 million hectares from 1.052 million hectares in the same period last year.

Rice and corn are key contributors to the agriculture sector, which accounts for around 10 percent of gross domestic product and employs two out of every 10 Filipinos.