In Maguindanao, 50 hectares of upland palay were already harvested while some areas were on maturing stage. Most irrigated areas were on planting stage. Harvesting of 310 hectares of corn, 130 hectares of which were harvested earlier due to onset of rains, was carried out.
In Maguindanao, harvesting of 1,000 hectares of palm fruit continued in Buluan, General Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP), Paglat, Mangudadatu, Pandag, Paglat and Ampatuan.
In Basilan, harvesting of palay, corn and pineapple was still on-going in some areas. Early flowering/fruiting of mango was noted.
In Sulu, palay farm areas were on vegetative stage while corn farms were on maturing stage. Corn production is expected to increase resulting from high yield due to sufficient rains. Planting and harvesting of temporary crops such as cassava and other related rootcrops are expected to increase owing to sufficient rains.
In Tawi-Tawi, 80 percent of palay farms were on vegetative stage. Fifty (50) percent of corn farms were on land preparation while some were on maturing stagea and harvesting period. About 3,000 hills/trees of rubber were newly planted in Lapid-Lapid, Kapatagan and Bongao.
2. LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
In Basilan, supply of dressed chicken from Zamboanga City was stable.
In Tawi-Tawi, backyard raising of native chicken and ducks was among the farming activities in most barangays. In Languyan, farmers raised carabaos as working animals used for drawing lumber. In island municipalities, livestock raisers continued raising cattle and goat.
In Sulu, chicken production in response to higher demand and lesser supply from Zamboanga City. Swine disposition decreased owing to lower demand. Chicken inventory is expected to decline with less disposition.
3. FISHERIES
In Sulu, commercial and municipal fish catch increased; tuna species were in season and there was less weather disturbance.
In Maguindanao, fish catch was abundant with interventions from the BFAR.
In Tawi-Tawi, municipal and commercial fishing boats at the different landing centers observed regular fishing trips. Planting season of seaweed was affected by unfavorable weather.
4. PRICES AND MARKET SUPPLY
In Maguindanao, fruits like marang and mango were available in the market. Vegetables like squash fruit, kangkong, and stringbeans were abundant in the market.
Still in Maguindanao, price of white corn grain rose by 4.55 percent because of high production costs. Prices of vegetables, fruits and condiments like cabbage, ampalaya, eggplant, tomato, banana (lakatan and saba) indicated 5 percent mark-up on account of limited supply in the market while those of garlic bulb and chayote decreased due to abundant supply.
In Basilan, prices of beef, vegetables and other commodities were stable.
In Sulu, prices of basic agricultural commodities traded at the Jolo Public Market were normal due to adequate supply. Prices of slaughtered meat such as chicken and beef were also normal owing to constant supply.
In Tawi-Tawi, prices of marine fishes slightly decreased with abundant supply in the market.
5. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAMS, POLICIES AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS
In Maguindanao, the BFAR gave fishing paraphernalia such as gillnets, boats for fishing and seaweed planting materials and provided continuous briefing to farmer-fisherfolk in different towns of Parang, Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Mangudadatu.
In Isabela City, Basilan, construction of the two-storey Public Market was 95 percent done. Construction of the 3-kilometer farm to market road from Jolo to Barangay Umangay and Anuling, Patikul, Sulu was 65 percent done. This was funded by the Sulu Provincial Government headed by his Excellency Hon. Abdusakur M. Tan.
6. TRAINING, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS
Selected BAS staff from ARMM participated in the Workshop on Review and Analysis of Livestock and Poultry Provincial Production Estimates last May 29-31, 2012 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte,.
RPO Norhaya Tula attended the National Meeting of Focal Persons for BAS Online Dissemination System which was held last May 28-31, 2012 at Punta de Fabian, Baras, Rizal. The meeting was attended by selected BAS personnel from the Central Office and ROCs.
7. WEATHER SITUATION
Cloudy to sunny weather during the first week of the month and intermittent to heavy rains during the last week were experienced over the region. Moderate wind blows prevailed especially in the afternoon. Seashore and coastal areas had calm to rough seas especially in the afternoon.