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CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — In a significant move to protect the livelihood of local farmers and stabilize rice production in the province, the Nueva Ecija provincial government has committed to purchasing palay (unhusked rice) from farmers at ₱15 per kilo, well above the prevailing market price of ₱8 to ₱10 per kilo. This decision, spearheaded by Governor Aurelio Umali, was solidified during a recent meeting of the Provincial Food Council (PFC), attended by mayors and agricultural leaders from across the province.

Governor Umali emphasized that the initiative is part of the province’s ongoing Palay Price Support Program (PPSP), designed to shield Nueva Ecija’s farmers from the volatile effects of market fluctuations and the persistent challenges brought by the Rice Tariffication Law. Farmers have long decried the law’s impact, citing it as a key factor behind plunging palay prices and the surge of cheap rice imports. By offering a higher buying price, the provincial government aims to reaffirm Nueva Ecija’s status as the Rice Granary of the Philippines while ensuring that local farmers continue to benefit fairly from their harvest.

Among the resolutions passed during the council meeting was the expansion and dissemination of detailed implementing guidelines for the PPSP, extending the program’s benefits not only to palay but also to other vital agricultural products. Another major development was the council’s approval of plans to establish an Agri-Trading and Processing Center in Nueva Ecija, which is expected to boost the province’s capacity to process, store, and market agricultural goods more effectively, enhancing income opportunities for farmers.

Governor Umali underscored that this program is not merely a price support scheme but a strategic effort to strengthen food security and uplift rural communities. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, palay acquired through the PPSP was milled into rice and distributed as food assistance to thousands of Nueva Ecija residents. This practice continues today, with recent distributions conducted in the towns of Cabiao and Aliaga, reinforcing the program’s role in supporting both farmers and vulnerable communities.

Through these proactive efforts, the provincial government of Nueva Ecija is sending a clear message:
Through these proactive efforts, the provincial government of Nueva Ecija is sending a clear message: the welfare of Filipino farmers remains at the heart of the province’s agricultural agenda. By ensuring a fair and stable price for palay, the government hopes to inspire confidence among farmers, encourage continued rice production, and protect the province’s vital role in feeding the nation.

NPO News Team - PR