A group of small rice farmers in Bago City held are calling for “Justice For Farmers”, decrying the low buying prices of palay and are advocating to the local and national government, together with other rice farmers nationwide, for its price increase.

Local rice farmers of the Brgy. Dulao United Farm Owners Association (BDUFOA) stated that they are on the losing end with the recent sharp drop in Palay prices, ranging from only P11 to P14 per kilo depending on the variety, adding they are unable to recover production cost at such rates.

“Why is there a huge disparity between the prices of Palay and Rice? We call for justice for our fellow farmers, who are working hard to feed the nation even with the challenges brought by the pandemic.”

Jheson Mateo Quinta, President of BDUFOA, upon the sharp drop in palay prices

Quinta further added that the low buying prices is additional burden to the farmers as some household members have lost their jobs, thus needing to earn more to sustain the daily needs of their family.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) stated it’s finalizing the measures to help farmers in Negros Occidental. Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino mentioned that the farmers and the National Food Authority (NFA) reached an agreement to bulk sell the former’s clean and dry palay at P19 per kilo. OPA also agreed in providing transportation for procured palay, and allowing farmers to utilize the Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan in Bago City for drying their palay.

BDUFOA set up posters & tarpaulins in the area to spread awareness about the plight of farmers among other concerns that are affecting their farming.