Rice planting is 84.2% of the planned

According to data from the Ministry of Agricultural Development, 84.2% of the annual planned rice planting (92,757 ha) has been completed so far.

According to MIDA, about 1,382 producers reported planting 78,116.9 hectares of rice.

The report states that of the total planted area, 93.4% is rain-fed (72,926 Ha with 1,306 producers) and 6.6% is irrigated (5,190.9 Ha with 76 producers).

For the agricultural year 2023-2024. planting is planned 92,757 hectares, with the participation of 1,680 producers, with a harvest projection of 437,106 metric tons, or 9,616,332 quintals, with an average yield of 104 quintals per hectare.

Compared to the same period of the previous agricultural year, when 76,715 hectares were reported, an increase of 1,402 hectares (Ha) was recorded.

By the time of total sowing, the province of Chiriqui records the highest planting percentage with 23.6% (18,427.7 Ha with 568 producers), followed by Panama Este with 23% (17,978.5 Ha with 125 producers) and Veraguas with 13.9% (10,850 Ha with 182 producers) .

While Darién records 12.2% (9495.4 ha from 93 producers), Coclé has 12.1% (9483.9 ha from 217 producers), Los Santos accumulates 11.7% (9161.8 ha from 155 producers), Herrera 3.4% (2658.2 ha from 41 producers) and Panama Oeste adds 0.1% (61.5 ha from 1 producer).

As for the harvested areas, it was announced harvest of 13,552.5 hawhich represents 17.3% of the planted area (78,116.9 Ha), for the production of 1,356,610.1 wet and dirty quintals, with a total yield of 100.1 quintals per hectare.

Rice is one of the most sought-after products among Panamanians, who consume it every day.