About 39,668 metric tons of palay harvest in Capiz is projected by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) provincial office for the April to June period despite prolonged dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

BAS Provincial Agricultural Statistics Officer Eric Piansay revealed that only 7,286 hectares from the total 33,279 hectares of rainfed rice field areas have been planted for the period which is expected to generate an estimated 15,665 metric tons of palay. The province has also 2,947 hectares of upland rice lands.

"About 46 percent of the 14,797 hectares of irrigated farm lands were also cultivated during the April to June quarter that will produce about 24,003 metric tons of palay," said Piansay.

Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap said the plight of small farmers for a greater profitability is the focus of the Arroyo administration which is embarking on a five-point program anchored on rural infrastructure build-up to keep the agricultural sector on high growth path.