NFA: Farmers may earn more by selling palay or unhusked rice

There is an opportunity for farmers to earn more if they can sell palay or unhusked rice directly to the National Food Authority (NFA).

NFA Adminstrator Larry Lacson is appealing to farmers to sell their palay to the agency to avail of a better price for their crops.

For clean and dry palay, the NFA is buying these at 24 pesos per kilo while fresh or wet palay can be bought at 18 pesos per kilo.

"Sa NFA ang presyo sa ngayon ay 3 to 4 pesos higher than the traders," Lacson explained.

(With the NFA, the prices are 3 pesos to 4 pesos higher than the traders.)

Earlier this week, NFA decided to increase the buying price of clean and dry palay to 24 pesos from 23 pesos following reports that prices of palay is dropping.

Lacson added that this move would also allow farmers to sell their crops at a higher price.

Small farmers may also avail of fast lanes for faster transactions.

"Puede mag usap usap ang mga magkaka kapit bukid na kumuha ng truck na marentahan para madala ang palay sa NFA," Lacson said.

(The farmers who live close to each other can rent a truck that would bring their palay to the NFA.)

Lacson also appealed to LGUs to help farmers in the delivery of palay to their warehouses which could help bring down their transportation cost.

"Nananawagan din kami sa LGUs na kung meron sila mapahiram na truck sa mga magsasaka para naman mas lumaki ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka," he said.

(We are calling on LGUs that may be able to lend a truck to the farmers to help them earn more.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News