THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday reassured farmers of profits from rice planting in the May to October wet season despite fears of a severe El Niño this year and rising production costs due to the global energy crisis.
“The president’s directive is to make sure our farmers earn properly and do not lose money in the next harvest season despite higher fertilizer prices,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Before harvest season starts, the National Food Authority ( A) has announced its buying price for palay (unhusked rice) “at P22 per kilogram for wet palay and P27/kg for dry palay,” said Tiu Laurel. “The goal is to set a benchmark for the industry and help ensure that farmers can earn a reasonable profit.”
Wet palay contains 20 to 25 percent moisture and spoils quickly, while dry palay has 14 percent or less moisture, making it safe for long-term storage and milling.
“Unlike during the dry season [November to April] when we came in later to match prices already being offered by private traders, we will be more aggressive this coming season. We will be buying early and at higher prices,” A Administrator Larry Lacson said.
For the dry season harvest, the A bought dry palay from P25 to P30/kg.
The A is also milling a significant portion of its buffer stocks to free up storage space for incoming harvests and support the government’s expanded P20/kg rice program, Lacson said.
The DA is likewise helping out. “We are clearing warehouse space so the A will be ready to accept more palay from farmers once harvest season begins,” Tiu Laurel said.
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