New NFA-Normin chief assures ample rice supply for the region

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent . 

The newly-installed regional director of National Food Authority-10 has assured the public that they have enough supply of rice for the entire region as the new year starts.

NFA-10 Regional Director Engr. Genaro Nuñez assured the public that they have enough supply of rice for the public unlike during the opening of last year when there was a shortage of rice supply.

 “We will not have another scenario of the opening of new semester like what we had on rice situation at the opening of last year,” he said.

Over the weekend, Nuñez gave this assurance even as he also confided that the region has so far not experienced rice shortage recently, as he announced the forthcoming arrival in Cagayan de Oro City port of imported rice as approved by the President this last quarter of the year.

He revealed this as he also disclosed that as the buffer stocking incentives of P3. 00 added on top of the P17.70 support price with additional drying, delivery and cooperative incentive fees which started last quarter of this year.

He said the region has procured a total of 20,545 bags palay from farmers in Misamis Oriental (578 bags) and Misamis Occidental (190) Lanao del Norte (885) and Bukidnon (18,892). When converted to rice, the volume yields 13,354 bags at 50 kilograms each bag.

In addition to its inventory, the region recently received 57,000 bags rice stocks back-up from NFA Regions 7 and 11.

Just recently, NFA Council Chair Emmanuel Piñol announced that the imported rice coming in for early 2019 requirement will be sold at P27 per kilogram, but according to him NFA will still seek guidance on the selling price of the locally procured paddy rice since this was bought at a maximum of P20.70 per kilogram.

Hazel Belacho, NFA-10 information officer said the local NFA offices and bodegas has a potential volume of rice inventory that will be good for the first semester of the year.

“It is assured with confidence and optimism that with the government’s support incentives thru the Department of Agriculture like post-harvest facilities, seeds, fertilizers and other loan assistance programs,” she said.

At the gross buying price of P20.70 per kilogram palay, to include P17 support price and buffer stock incentive of P3.00 plus NFA procurement incentives amounting P0.70 per kilogram of palay, the region will be able to buy sizeable number of bags palay and beef up comfortably its rice stock position through the coming months.