The effect of El Niño phenomenon pulled down the production of Palay sector in the region. Palay production contracted from 0.8 percent in 2015 to negative 12.2 percent in 2016. All provinces contributed to the contraction with Zamboanga del Norte indicated the lowest of about 31.4 percent. Zamboanga del Sur sank deeper from negative 2.4 in 2015 to negative 7.1 percent in 2016. In addition, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City declined by about 9.9 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.

Irrigated palay in Zamboanga Peninsula declined by about 10.1percent from 424,822 metric tons in 2015 to 381,776 metric tons in 2016. It accounted for 66 percent of the total palay production. Zamboanga del Sur, as a major contributor in irrigated farms further declined from 3.0 percent in 2015 to 5.6 percent in 2016. Similarly, Zamboanga del Norte indicated negative 34 percent, Zamboanga Sibugay 7.7 percent, and Zamboanga City 4.7 percent decrease due to drought.

Total rainfed palay production was estimated at 199,335 metric tons. It exhibited a downtrend, a decrease by about 37,618 metric tons or 15.9 percent lower from 236,953 metric tons estimate in 2015. It accounted for 34 percent of the total palay production in 2016. The production of rainfed palay in Zamboanga del Norte plunged from 62,104 metric tons in 2015 to 44,452 metric tons in 2016. However, Zamboanga City posted an increase of 8.4 percent as compared to the 2015 estimate. (Vicente Sambilad/SOCD