SOUTH COTABATO – The Provincial Government, led by Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., has taken measures to assist rice farmers affected by the significant drop in rice prices.
Governor Tamayo has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting local rice farmers by purchasing palay (unmilled rice) to provide relief.
“If the price drops to ₱19.00, the Provincial Government is willing to buy it. We encourage farmers to approach the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) for assistance,” the governor said.
This initiative aims to provide immediate financial relief to struggling farmers while ensuring the sustainability of rice production in the province.
The farming community welcomed the program, expressing gratitude for the government’s intervention.
“We are happy that our province has a program supporting consolidated farming,” one farmer , who refused to be named, shared. He also appealed for an increase in the buying price of palay, cash-to-cash transactions, and additional farming equipment to further support their livelihoods.
The Provincial Government established the ‘Palay Support’ program in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG). OPAG oversees the purchasing process and ensures that farmers are promptly compensated for their produce, providing them with financial relief during periods of declining rice prices.
The Provincial Government remains committed to easing the burden on farmers, stabilizing the local rice industry, and strengthening the agricultural sector. Farmers are hopeful that this support will help them overcome current challenges and sustain their contributions to the province’s food security (with reports from Kia Stevie Galve).
