Rice SRP should be reasonable, not too low –farmers group

Responding to the Agriculture Department's plan to impose a suggested retail price on rice, the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives said the planned SRP should be reasonable and not too low.

While a low SRP would not immediately impact farmers, the possible consequences could affect them during the next harvest.

"Although, right now, hindi maaapektuhan ang farmers, pagdating sa next harvest season babawi ang mga trader," explained Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives National Manager Raul Montemayor in Vonne Aquino's Sunday 24 Oras Weekend report.

"Yung farmer ang kawawa. Babawiin ng mga trader yung loses nila by buying palay at a low price."

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), meanwhile, said that an SRP could affect rice importation.

"Ang daigdigang presyo ng bigas eh talagang mataas," said SINAG President Rosendo So. "Itong February kasi, more or less, majority ng nasa merkado niyan is sabihin natin aabot ng 50% to 60% eh yung imported na nandoon sa merkado.

"So kung yun ang gagawin mo, baka hindi magpasok yung mga importer dahil yung pag angkat nila sa Vietnam and Thailand mataas ang presyo."

GMA Integrated News had sought comment from the DA on the groups' warnings, but the department had yet to respond.

The DA had earlier explained that they would be imposing an SRP to ensure that rice prices were affordable for consumers and that they would consult stakeholders on the matter. — DVM, GMA Integrated News