Farmers urge gov't to set minimum price for palay

A farmers' group is urging the Philippine government to implement a minimum buying price for palay, citing declining farmgate prices and competition from imported rice.

Leonardo Montemayor, chairman of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and former agriculture secretary, noted that freshly harvested palay is currently selling at P12 to P14 per kilo.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the agency is studying the proposal and considers a P20/kilo floor price reasonable.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan echoed support for establishing a minimum price for palay, emphasizing it as necessary to protect Filipino rice farmers and address food security concerns.

Pangilinan also renewed his call for legislative measures that would empower the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy up to 20 percent of the country's palay supply to ensure market stability and prevent exploitation.