The National Food Authority (NFA) is convincing farmers to sell their palay to the agency amid the decline of palay prices which already dropped to Php 11.00 per kilo.
NFA Administrator Judy Carol Dansal said they will purchase dry palay from farmers for Php 19.00 per kilo. The NFA has a Php 10-billion fund to buy around 10 million sacks of palay.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the department is now dealing with the entry of imported rice, especially with the ongoing harvest season. Farmer groups have been raising concerns on the influx of imported rice in the market due to the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law which they perceive is a factor in the drop of palay prices.
“Nililiwanag ko lang po sa mga misguided groups na gusto nilang ipa-review ang RTL Law, kami po ay hindi sumusuporta (I want to clarify with the misguided groups seeking the review of RTL that they do not have our support),” Dansal stated.
Dansal explained that the Rice Tariffication Law does not have anything to do with the price drop. In fact, it is providing assistance to lower the production cost of farmers. The tariff from imported rice helps the government in buying machineries needed to dry palay. – PTV News
