NFA pledges to buy palay from farmers despite budget constraints

The National Food Authority (NFA) has pledged to buy palay from local farmers despite reports of budget constraints limiting purchases.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro assured farmers that the NFA is prepared to expand its rice storage capacity and rent additional space if necessary, denying claims that warehouses are full.

Castro emphasized that all registered farmers will be prioritized during peak season and urged those who haven't sold yet to wait for their turn as some farmers may need to line up due to high demand.

The NFA sets a buying price of PHP19 per kg in certain regions and PHP18 elsewhere, with clean and dry palay priced at PHP24 per kg.

Farmers are advised to seek assistance from local government units for direct selling to the NFA, while the Department of Agriculture has allocated an additional PHP10 billion for warehouse rehabilitation and procurement.