DAR urges gov't agencies to buy rice directly from farmers

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is urging government agencies and corporations to directly purchase rice from farmers to help them amidst low palay prices.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III hosted a high-level caucus attended by national and local leaders, including Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., House Speaker Faustino Dy III, National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson, and Senate Committee on Agriculture chairperson Senator Francisco Pangilinan.

Estrella stressed the critical need for solidarity to safeguard the livelihood of farmers, calling the meeting "not just a meeting - it is a call to action."

The caucus announced it will formally submit a recommendation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urging him to issue a policy requiring all government institutions and GOCCs to purchase local rice.

This directive aims to create immediate demand, stabilize prices, and provide direct support to the agricultural sector.