RP expects cotton production up by 2010

THE Philippines is expected to increase its cotton production to 50,000 hectares in five years through the use of modern biotechnology and the infusion of capital from the private sector.

During the celebration of the 7^th anniversary of the Cotton Development Administration (CODA) in the Department of Agriculture (DA), DA Secretary Arthur Yap handed over a P5 Million grant for the BT Cotton project of CODA.

The BT Cotton project is expected to reinforce CODA’s target 10% increase in the number of hectares for cotton production within 5 years. From 4,921 hectares of cotton plantation in 2004, CODA expects to reach 50,000 hectares of land for cotton production in the year 2010.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said that he expects the country to be self sufficient in cotton by 2010, with the increase in cotton production through the help of Bt cotton and other hybrid varieties now being developed.

Secretary Yap also emphasized that each hectare for cotton production means an additional job for Filipinos. He also challenged the CODA to concentrate on “businessizing” the cotton supply chain where there is a systematic strategy from production to finding a niche in the market. “The truth is, my entire concept of “businessizing” the Philippine agriculture industry starts with cotton,” said Secretary Yap.

CODA Administrator Eugenio Orpia Jr. said that through the help of the private sector, CODA manages to pursue its objectives.

“Through the mutual cooperation and partnership of the cotton industry stakeholders, both the government and the private sector, the growth in the industry foresees the emergence of a commercial size cotton production base, increasing annually up to the 50,000 hectares of cotton in 2010 where growers harvest at least 2,000 kilograms per hectare,” he said.  

He also reported that the number of cotton farms in the Philippines increased significantly with the creation of the Cotton Development Authority, from 2,000 hectares in 1998 when CODA was created to almost 5,000 hectares today.