Palay production increased by 7.09 percent

In the 4th Quarter of 2024, Romblon's palay production reached 19,273 metric tons (mt), reflecting a 7.09 percent increase from the same quarter in 2023, which had a production of 17,997.49 mt. of the total production in Q4 2024, the Irrigated ecosystem contributed the most with 9,794 metric tons, followed by Rainfed at 9,469 metric tons. The increase is attributed to bigger area planted due to the early onset of rain (Table 1).

Table 1. Volume of Palay Production by Ecosystem, Romblon:
4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024
(in metric tons)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

Figure 1. Volume of Palay Production, Romblon: 4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

In addition to the increase in the area planted, the higher volume of production is also attributed to the seasonal pattern of palay harvesting in the province, which typically occurs in the last quarter of the year. This quarter, palay production in the province was supported by Inbred-Certified seeds, contributing 14,775 metric tons, while Farmer’s Good Seeds accounted for 4,498 metric tons in both the Irrigated and Rainfed ecosystems.

Total area harvested for palay increase by 4.25 percent

In the 4th Quarter of 2024, the area harvested for palay totaled 5,319 hectares, marking a 4.25 percent increase from the 5,102 hectares harvested in the same quarter of 2023. The Rainfed ecosystem contributed the most to this increase with 2,735 hectares, followed by Irrigated with 2,584 hectares.

Among the ecosystems, only Rainfed saw an increase, with a 21.83 percent rise in harvested area. Meanwhile, the Irrigated ecosystem experienced a decrease of -9.56 percent in the area harvested, compared to the same period in the previous year (Table 2).

Table 2. Total Area Harvested by Ecosystem, Romblon:
4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

Figure 2. Palay Area Harvested, Romblon:  4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

Due to the early onset of rains this year compared to the same quarter last year, only the Rainfed ecosystem recorded an increase in planted area, with an expansion of 490 hectares. Meanwhile, the Irrigated ecosystem registered a decrease of 273 hectares in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Yield in Palay Increase by 1.1 Percentage Points

In the 4th Quarter of 2024, the yield increased by 1.1 percentage points compared to the same quarter in 2023. Among the two palay ecosystems, only irrigated saw a positive yield growth. Irrigated posted a yield of 3.79 in Q4 2024, up from 3.57 in Q4 2023, while Rainfed had a yield of 3.57 both in fourth quarter 2023 and 2024 (Table 3).

Table 3. Yield of Palay by Ecosystem – Romblon
4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

Figure 3. Palay Yield, Romblon
4th Quarter 2023 vs 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

In both the Irrigated and Rainfed ecosystems, Inbred-Certified seeds recorded the highest overall yield in the fourth quarter of 2024. This seed type also accounted for much of the yield during the same quarter in 2023.

Summary Table of the Production, Area, Yield and Growth Rate of Palay Production

Positive growth was recorded in overall production, total area harvested, and average yield during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. These improvements can be attributed to several key factors, including favorable weather conditions that supported crop development, an increase in the area planted, and the use of high-quality seeds. Together, these factors contributed to enhanced crop performance and higher productivity across the province.

Table 4. Production, Area, Yield and Growth Rate of Palay by Ecosystem, Romblon:
4th Quarter 2023 and 4th Quarter 2024

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Palay Production Survey

(SGD) ENGR. JOHNNY F. SOLIS 
Chief Statistical Specialist 
Romblon Provincial Statistical Office