The National Food Authority (NFA) will open more palay buying stations in various parts of the province in anticipation of the start of harvest season next month.
Max Masa, NFA-South Cotabato assistant provincial manager, said Wednesday the preparations are underway for the establishment of the additional buying stations in strategic locations in the province.
Masa said there already existing buying stations in Norala town, which is considered as the province’s rice granary.
As palay harvests start to peak later next month, he said the agency will also open buying stations in the towns of Banga, Surallah, and Sto. Nino–all known for their vast rice plantations.
NFA currently buys palay at PHP17 per kilogram (kg), with additional buffer stock incentive of P3.00/kg, trucking incentive of P0.20/kg, drying incentive of P0.20/kg and cooperative incentive fee of P0.30/kg.
“This means NFA will buy the palay products of individual farmers at a maximum buying price of P20.40/kg and P20.70/kg for members of cooperatives and associations,” he said in an interview.
To encourage more farmers to sell their palay to NFA, Masa said they have already eased the procurement requirements.
To prove their legitimacy, individual farmers who want to transact with NFA are required to show their farmer’s passbook and while those under cooperatives will need to show their master’s passbook.
NFA South Cotabato is targeting to procure around 150,000 bags of palay this year, and can be increased depending on the harvests.
“Rest assured that we have enough funds to buy the palay produce of our farmers,” Masa said. (PNA)
