The National Food Authority-Negros Occidental aims to buy 106,000 Lkg bags of palay from Negrense rice farmers before the year ends at an increased buying price of P23 per kilo, which started September 20.
NFA-Negros Occidental Acting Branch Manager Glenda Paz told DIGICAST NEGROS on Wednesday, September 27, that this increase coincided with the implementation of price caps on rice, which is at P41/kilo for regular milled and P45/kilo for well-milled.
For almost a week since the implementation, NFA-Neg. Occ. has already bought about 1,000 bags of palay from the local farmers, she said.
Paz said they are targeting to buy 10,000 bags this month.
NFA will buy palay that are clean, dry, and with 14 percent moisture content.
Paz also reported that four local government units in Neg. Occ. have shown interest in partnering with the NFA by adding an additional amount to its base price per kilo of palay under its Palay Marketing Assistance Program for Legislators and LGUs (PALLGU) to assist farmers.
These LGUs are Sipalay City, Hinoba-an, Cauayan and Isabela.
Paz said they also met with Gov. Eugenio Lacson and presented the project.
So far, Valladolid is the only LGU in Neg. Occ. that is part of the PALLGU program.*