Farmers cry foul as palay prices nosedive to as low as ₱13/kg, sparking an official probe by the Department of Agriculture (DA). Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that shady traders may be taking advantage of hardworking farmers during peak harvest in Luzon — way below the NFA’s set range of ₱18-₱24/kg!
Investigation underway, with 32 locations in Luzon flagged — Bataan hits rock bottom at ₱13.50/kg, with other provinces like Cagayan, Kalinga, Compostela Valley, and Sultan Kudarat not far behind.
DA plans to introduce a floor price, citing global practices like those in India, to shield farmers from exploitative buying.
The NFA vows to prioritize affected areas for the next round of palay procurement as it continues to stockpile rice for emergencies. | via Allan Ortega | Photo via NFA
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