Philippine paddy rice output in the first half of the year is projected to reach 6.63 million metric tons, up 1.4% on year, despite adverse effects from a mild El Nino.

The Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that the projected increase would come from an expected increase in harvest area in the first three months of the year and the use of high-yielding hybrid varieties.

Based on the standing crop, production in January-March could reach 3.61 million MT, up 3.5% from the same period last year.

But according to a production survey conducted by the BAS, paddy rice output in the second quarter could decline 1.2%.