Sinag lauds DA for improved palay price
RICE TRAFFICATION LAW WORKED
THE Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) lauded the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the improved price of palay price that benefitted farmers even as he cited the positive effects of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) that reduced volume of rice importation.
Rosendo So, Sinag chair, said palay price has improved to P18.50 (wet) per kilogram and P22.00 (dry) per kilogram, from as low as P14 last year.
Then, citing records from the Bureau of Customs, So said rice imports from January to April in 2020 have decreased from 1,551,412.44 metric tons over same period in 2019 to only 765,854.64 metric tons this year or a 50% reduction contrary to fears about its passage last year.
He credited the secretary of DA for the calibration that benefitted the farmers.
He added that the government was still able to collect 35 percent tariffs on rice imports following the lifting of quantitative restrictions (QR) imposed by the World Trade Organization.
“Without the RTL, importers can take advantage of importing more rice without paying the tariffs that could lead to the collapse of palay-producing farmers,” he added.
RTL has made it possible also for farmers to avail of free certified or good palay seeds, new farm machineries, training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Agricultural Training Institute and loan from Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines due to increased government revenue from tariffs collected from imported rice.
“We thank Agriculture Secretary (William) Dar for his initiatives in finding solutions to the problems of our farmers. Our country’s economic team should refocus its policies on our local production,” So said.
Reacting to the forecast of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that appeared in its “Philippines: Grain and Feed Annual” on March 20, 2020, he said the government will likely import only 1.8 metric tons and not 3 million that was projected, a situation that will be good for farmers”, he said. (PhilStar Wire Service /ECV)
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