NFA-South Cotabato buffer stocking for emergencies

KORONADAL CITY - The National Food Authority (NFA) today announced it focuses on buffer stocking for calamities and emergencies with buffer stocks to be sourced solely from local farmers as a consequence of the passage of RA-11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law which took effect on March 5, 2019.

In South Cotabato, NFA’s rice distribution shall be limited to the requirements of relief agencies during calamities and emergencies at P37.00 per kilogram, Nelson P. Sañada, NFA provincial manager for South Cotabato, said in a statement.

He said NFA-South Cotabato procures clean and dry palay with 14 percent moisture content and 95 percent purity at the current support price of P17.00 per kilogram plus additional incentive of P3.00 per kilogram.

The incentive is the Buffer Stocking Incentive (BSI) which is based on the Equivalent Net Weight (ENW).

Sañada said with an additional incentive fee of P0.20 centavos per kilogram for delivery and another P0.20 for drying fee, an individual farmer can get up to a maximum of P20.40 per kilogram.

He also said that an additional P0.30 per kilogram is given to member of farmers cooperatives/organizations which sums up to P20.70 per kilogram of palay sold to NFA.

NFA South Cotabato has existing two warehouses at NFA Compound, three more buying stations will be opened in Upper Valley area to accommodate farmers who will deliver their farm produce should there be a massive during August-October 2019 cropping season.

For a more recognizable support to the farmers, the government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) provides non-monetary incentive(s) to those who deliver to NFA which started July 1, 2019 and onwards.

They will present Purchase of Receipt (PR) from NFA-12 regional office as proof of delivery/sale.

Sañada said guidelines for this scheme are created to inspire and motivate individual farmers and members of the farmers’ associations and cooperatives who are deserving to receive incentives which can be claimed once per cropping season.

Incentives are given per required minimum weight (in kilograms) of palay to avail free inputs and it is on a “First Come First Serve” scheme.

Individual farmers will receive one bag Urea for a 1,500 kilograms and 1 bag Hybrid Seeds for a delivery of 2,500 kilograms.

Sañada also announced more incentives. For association and cooperatives, he said that 50,000, 60,000, 80,000, 100,000 and 250,000 kilograms will be given 1 unit solar light trap, 1 unit seed spreader, 1 unit rice thresher, 1 unit hand tractor and 1 unit transplanter, respectively. (PR)