Farmers thumb down new rice import rules

CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines —Farmers leaders are appealing to the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to revise its new guidelines on the importation of rice.

The appeal was made during the grains stakeholders’ forum facilitated by NFA deputy administrator for marketing operation Judy Carol Dansal and NFA-Bulacan manager Elvira Obana.

Obana said the forum was called to address concerns raised by stakeholders with respect to the new guidelines on rice importation.

Representatives of farmer-cooperatives from Regions 1, 3, 4, 11 and the National Capital Region frowned on the new guidelines particularly the 80-20 rice allocation in favor of non-farmer organizations.

“The lopsided volume allocation of 80:20 in favor of non-farmer organizations is a carryover of the anti-poor NFA practice in the past administration,” farmer cooperatives said.

NFA’s equitable rice importation allocation to all market players is part of government’s intervention in the crucial rice industry,  they added.

Through fair importation, NFA can widely disperse rice supply, thereby preventing big-time traders from controlling the market, hoarding rice stocks, and raising rice prices.

The farmer leaders have proposed 50 percent rice import allocations that will be appropriated for farmer cooperative applicants that will pay 35 percent tariff without undergoing any bidding process.

 Since farmers have vital roles in the economy, the farmer leaders also cited RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997  which provides benefits and protection to farmers which include poverty alleviation and social equity, shield against unfair competition, enhancement of profit and income opportunities in the agriculture sector and promotion of people empowerment by strengthening people’s organizations, cooperatives and NGOs.

 By increasing volume rice allocation, farmer organizations are expected to boost their profit.