NFA revises palay buying operations

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) has recalibrated its operations to be “more responsive and effective” under the rice tarification law as the policy’s adverse effects continue to outweigh the promised benefits.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the move was approved by the NFA’s policy-making body, which includes representatives from the Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, and National Economic and Development Authority.

Changes included an increase in NFA’s palay procurement target by 193 percent to 1.14 million metric tons (MT) from 390,000 MT.

The huge spike was made to ensure the NFA would still meet the 15-day buffer stock set by the new rice policy, given that it is now going to supply P600 worth of rice to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program every month.

The NFA has also put up additional 247 palay buying stations all over the country, bringing the total to 558 from 311. —Karl R. Ocampo