Cotabato Farmers Welcome P22/Kg. Base Price For Palay!
Today, I met with rice farmers of the province in a forum in Dalapitan, Matalam, North Cotabato during which they excitedly welcomed the “Cotabato Rice Republic” Program which assures a base buying price of P22 per kilo for their “clean and dry” palay.
The “Cotabato Rice Republic” which I designed and crafted will establish a virtual independent supply, processing and marketing program for rice produced locally with the involvement of the Economic Enterprise Office of the provincial government.
Working closely with the Dept. of Agriculture National Rice Program, the National Irrigation Administration and the National Food Authority (NFA), the Cotabato Rice Republic will provide high yielding and quality seeds and fertilizer before the start of the planting season.
It will also conduct soil analysis in all rice farming areas, including Upland Areas, provide Solar and Mechanical Dryers and purchase farmers’ quality palay rice at no less than P22 per kilo.
This will be milled locally and sold in the “Bigasan sa Barangay” rice outlets at no more than P45 per kilo thus creating a local supply and market chain.
With this in place, farmers will be protected from the manipulation of rice traders who flood local markets with imported rice.
National Confederation of Irrigators Associations President Remy Albano, incumbent Vice Governor of Apayao, and IA Regional Federation President Dante Cudal expressed support for the project.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(Photos show Rice Farmers gathered for a forum today in Dalapitan, Matalam.)