Philippines Looking to Increase Production

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 01/13/2012

Leaf tobacco production in the Philippines during the 2011-2012 season is expected to reach 80 million kg, according to a Business World Online report quoting the head of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Edgardo D. Zaragoza. An 80 million kg harvest would represent a rise of about two per cent over that of 2010-2011, 78.40 million kg, which itself was up by 6.3 per cent on the amount produced the previous season, 73.77 million kg. Meanwhile, the NTA is extending P5.4 million worth of loans to support tobacco production in the province of Abra and is looking to provide a similar level of assistance to other provinces where tobacco is planted, particularly La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Zaragoza said farmers could use the funds to buy materials needed for planting and other production inputs. Enditem