The National Food Authority (NFA) has announced that its buying price for palay will remain at 30 pesos per kilo, ensuring that local farmers can maximize their earnings.
Key Points
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson confirmed that the ceiling price for clean and dry palay will stay at P30 per kilo unless revised by the NFA Council. This decision follows an increase in mid-April, where the NFA Council raised the buying price range from P16-P23 to P17-P30 per kilo to compete with private traders.
Dialogue and Inspections
Lacson, along with other NFA Council members, visited Davao Oriental to engage in discussions with farmers and NFA employees. The officials also inspected facilities and rice inventory.
Governmental Support and Productivity
During the dialogue, farmers reported higher agricultural productivity and increased income due to government support, including subsidies for machinery and seeds, and reduced labor costs through mechanization. By the end of the first half of the year, the NFA had procured a record 3.5 million tons of palay.
Future Initiatives
Acknowledging the logistical challenges faced by farmers’ cooperatives, Lacson announced plans to procure vehicles for transporting stocks directly from farms to warehouses as part of the agency’s proposed 2025 budget. Additionally, the NFA’s modernization plan includes acquiring post-harvest facilities like dryers and rice mills to enhance processing capacity and efficiency.
NFA’s Commitment
The NFA, mandated by the Rice Tariffication Law, is required to maintain a national buffer stock of rice to ensure food security in emergencies. The agency will continue to work closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to address challenges and improve agricultural practices and livelihoods across the country.