'Low palay prices' seen causing losses for local farmers
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'Low palay prices' seen causing losses for local farmers
MANILA — Prices of palay have dropped alarmingly low, causing losses for local farmers, an industry group said on Friday.
MANILA — Prices of palay have dropped alarmingly low, causing losses for local farmers, an industry group said on Friday.
SINAG Executive Director Jayson Cainglet said palay, or unmilled rice, is now selling for P8 to 12 per kilo in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan. This is below its production cost of around P13 per kilo. The situation is worse in some areas, Cainglet said.
SINAG Executive Director Jayson Cainglet said palay, or unmilled rice, is now selling for P8 to 12 per kilo in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan. This is below its production cost of around P13 per kilo. The situation is worse in some areas, Cainglet said.
"Reports of P7 per kilo in Mindanao have also reached our office," Cainglet said.
"Reports of P7 per kilo in Mindanao have also reached our office," Cainglet said.
Millers are buying palay at a maximum price of just P15 to P15 per kilo because of the low landed cost of imported rice, which is P26 to P28 per kilo, Cainglet said.
Millers are buying palay at a maximum price of just P15 to P15 per kilo because of the low landed cost of imported rice, which is P26 to P28 per kilo, Cainglet said.
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"The massive government support to P20/kilo rice that are benefitting consumers, should be extended in ensuring that our farmers get a fair price at the farmgate," he added.
"The massive government support to P20/kilo rice that are benefitting consumers, should be extended in ensuring that our farmers get a fair price at the farmgate," he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture said traders should not be using the government's P20/kilo rice program as an excuse to drop their palay-buying prices. Traders were reportedly haggling for lower palay prices saying they need to compete with the government's cheaper rice program.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture said traders should not be using the government's P20/kilo rice program as an excuse to drop their palay-buying prices. Traders were reportedly haggling for lower palay prices saying they need to compete with the government's cheaper rice program.
Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the National Food Authority is already investigating this.
Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the National Food Authority is already investigating this.
"Alam mo yun parang hindi dapat gamitin yun na dahilan. Kasi yung P20 pesos na bigas, galing yun sa NFA na binili at P24 [per kilo]," De Mesa said.
"Alam mo yun parang hindi dapat gamitin yun na dahilan. Kasi yung P20 pesos na bigas, galing yun sa NFA na binili at P24 [per kilo]," De Mesa said.
(They should not use it as a reason, since the P20/kilo rice comes from NFA who procured the palay at P24 per kilo.)
(They should not use it as a reason, since the P20/kilo rice comes from NFA who procured the palay at P24 per kilo.)
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"So why would they say na yun yung reason, when in fact the palay na ginamit na maging bigas na binenta because may subsidy yung gobyerno doon eh. Hindi dapat gamitin yun na rason," he added.
"So why would they say na yun yung reason, when in fact the palay na ginamit na maging bigas na binenta because may subsidy yung gobyerno doon eh. Hindi dapat gamitin yun na rason," he added.
(So why would they say that it was the reason, when in fact it was subsidized by the government. It should not be a reason.)
(So why would they say that it was the reason, when in fact it was subsidized by the government. It should not be a reason.)
P20/kilo rice is now being sold in 94 Kadiwa sites across the country, excluding DOLE sites for minimum wage earners.
P20/kilo rice is now being sold in 94 Kadiwa sites across the country, excluding DOLE sites for minimum wage earners.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself led the selling of P20/kilo rice in Zapote Market in Cavite.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself led the selling of P20/kilo rice in Zapote Market in Cavite.
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