Farmers are thankful to the provincial government of Nueva Ecija as it continues to buy palay from them through its Palay Price Support Program (PPSP). The program is being implemented by the Provincial Food Council (PFC), which was formed by Gov. Aurelio M. Umali in 2019. DA-PhilRice is a PFC member.
Normita Carreon, farmer-beneficiary from Laur, expressed her gratitude because she was able to sell her dry season palay harvest to the PFC at a higher price.
“We asked the provincial government to buy our palay because we heard that their buying price is higher compared to traders,” Carreon said.
Umali explained that through the PPSP, the provincial LGU buys fresh or wet palay from the poorest farmers at a higher price considering the production cost and the prevailing farmgate price.
He added that to qualify, a farmer should be at least 18 years old, owns or is directly farming a 3-ha or less farm in Nueva Ecija, and has the capacity to sell palay.
“Farmers who apply for the program are also evaluated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to prove if they are among the poorest in the province,” Umali said.
The governor added that palay bought from farmers are processed by local rice millers they have partnered with.
“Kasapi Micro Finance and Rural Development Inc. is the rice miller for farmers from District 1; Dysico Rice Mill for the second district; and Nueva Ecija Grain Drying Facility owned by the PLGU for the third and fourth districts,” he said.
He explained that the ready-to-cook product branded as Malasakit Rice is packed at 25 kg per sack, and is sold to consumers with the help of the Magsasaka partylist.
“The Partylist, under the leadership of Rep. Argel Joseph T. Cabatbat, serves as our marketing partner,” Umali said. Magsasaka outlets are put up around Nueva Ecija and other provinces.
Recently, free Malasakit Rice was distributed anew to help families in the province hard-hit by the pandemic. To buy Malasakit Rice and support our local rice farmers, visit Nueva Ecija’s Provincial Food Council page: https://bit.ly/3ARjzQM.
