Increasing Local Rice Production: Zambales Farmers Rally Behind NFA’s Price Hike

October 17, 2023

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Zambales farmers are supporting the National Food Authority’s (NFA) decision to raise the buying prices for palay (unmilled rice).

The NFA Council announced new prices: PHP23 for dry palay, increased from PHP19, and PHP19 for wet palay, up from PHP16.

Francisco Pallarag, a rice farmer from Barangay Palanginan, Iba, appreciated the price change. He noted that farmers often faced low prices, especially during harvest times when there was a lack of drying facilities. With the NFA’s updated prices, which compete with private traders, farmers like him can now get better returns for their crops.

Pallarag thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the NFA. He committed to selling his next harvest to the agency, showing his support for the program.

Another farmer, Rosie Estrada from Barangay Sta. Barbara in Iba, shared the same view. She confirmed her intention to sell her palay to the NFA in the coming seasons.

In Barangay Palanginan-Tambak, Oscar Achacoso and Arnel Bundang are encouraging fellow farmers to sell to the NFA, emphasizing the benefit of the new pricing.

However, Jovencia Abong, from the same barangay, hopes the NFA will consider even higher purchase rates in the future. She believes this could boost local production and reduce the country’s reliance on imported rice. She said higher prices could attract more farmers to sell to the NFA, reducing the need for imports.

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