The National Food Authority in Oriental Negros has been buying the palay of farmer cooperatives or individual farmers at P10.50 per kilogram in line with its Palay Procurement Program.

This support price, NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita said, has assisted more than 10,000 rice and corn farmers in the province with additional incentives under the Cooperative Development Incentive Funds of P.25/kg, P.15/kg for drying, and P.10 for delivery fee.

Lazalita, however, said the P.25 CDIF is held in trust with NFA to be used for post-harvest facilities such as buying solar dryer, weighing scales, tarpaulins and even construction of bodegas for 12 accredited farmer cooperatives.

The support price has improved their business condition, however private traders for a time have also contributed the farmers by buying higher price, the NFA said. The agency will also intensify its palay and corn procurement during the next harvest season expected to begin later this month.

The NFA allocated sufficient funds for their procurement program in preparation for the foreseen lean months during the second quarter of the year.

As part of anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program of the government, the NFA said the Arroyo administration has been implementing the food-for-school program which provides rice to poor families through their children in Grade 1, pre-schools and day care centers.

It is also expanding the implementation of the "Tindahan Natin" program along with the establishment of more barangay food terminals where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities, the NFA said.*RG

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