• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Farmers in Negros Occidental cannot feel the impact of the two-month rice importation ban in the country, as the current buying price of palay from the farmers remains low, ranging only from P12 to P14 per kilo.
Federation of Irrigators’ Association Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) Inc. President Pedro Limpangog said in an interview that at the current buying price, farmers cannot make a profit, since the estimated cost of their products runs to P12 pesos per kilo.
“Farmers cannot feel the effect of the rice importation ban as of the moment, due to the low price,” he said.
Limpangog added that the harvest of palay in the south district is ongoing, as he urged the traders to raise their prices to P17 to P20 per kilo to ensure that farmers can still profit amid the importation ban.
When asked why most farmers prefer to sell their production to private traders rather than the National Food Authority (NFA), Limpangog answered that “farmers prefer to sell their palay to private traders because they want to have an instant transaction since the money they will gain is to be used for their daily needs.”
In order for a farmer to sell their products to the NFA that buys palay at P23 per kilo, they must meet all the requirements, and the trading of palay is still up to their schedule. This means that farmers will wait months before they can dispose of their products at the NFA.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) reported that the lowest buying price of palay was recorded in northern Luzon, which was P8, which can result in farmers mounting losses, and some may be forced to stop planting altogether.
In Negros Occidental, Lampingog said that they have no reports that P8 palay was being bought from farmers.
EXTENDED
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Monday that the government will extend the ban on rice importation until the end of this year, citing that they will allow imports in January 2026, and reimpose the ban in February, to stabilize supply in time for the dry season harvest.
Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Tiu Laurel said the move aims to protect local farmers from further losses, as domestic palay prices remain under pressure due to oversupply and poor grain quality from persistent rains.*
