TO MINIMIZE the costs for rice farmers, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer recommends that the provincial government should put up rice buying stations in the north, central and southern areas of the province.
The municipal council during their regular sessions on Tuesday, September 17, approved a resolution setting aside a P6-million budget for the purchase of palay from local rice farmers amid the very low buying rate of rice traders pegged at P12 per kilo.
Ferrer said he is supporting the idea of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson that the Capitol will buy from local rice farmers.
This crop subsidy program is a big help for our farmers even if it’s for a short-term basis only, the vice governor said.
He said the provincial government can sell it to district hospitals and tourism facilities.
“Many businessmen take advantage of the situation and buy at very low prices”, Ferrer said.
We are buying palay at P15 per kilo “a price that is fair for our local rice farmers,” he also said.
Ferrer said the rice buying will be done through local rice farmers cooperatives and will be implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. (TDE)