THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Sunday said it would buy at least P14 billion worth of palay or unhusked rice from local farmers this 2020 at P19 per kilo.
In a statement, DA secretary William Dar said he had instructed National Food Authority administrator Judy Dansal to use their annual procurement fund to “serve and benefit more farmers.”
“We expect more vibrant palay-buying and rice trading activities this year as the Department of Social Welfare and Development will distribute P600 worth of NFA rice instead of cash every month to each of the beneficiaries of its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” Dar explained.
He added that the DSWD intervention, which was worth P31 billion annually, would help improve palay prices.
Major provincial governments and farmers’ federations would also continue to purchase palay from local farmers. (GMA News)
