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The price is inclusive of a P6 incentive for walk-in farmers who want to sell their produce to the state run food agency, NFA-North Cotabato information officer Lerma Infante-Maranan said. “We would like to tell our farmers that the government is doing well in order to have enough supply of rice in our respective warehouses all over the province,” Maranan said. She said palay procured under this program will serve as NFA’s buffer stocks during summer time. She explained that since the program is intended to acquire buffer stocks, the Farmers Option to Buy Back program will not be included in the implementation of the special buying price. The official also pointed out that only farmers’ organizations that are holders of passbooks may deliver their produce to NFA and avail of the special price of P17.00 per kilogram. NFA provincial manager Rey Salvatierra has urged all farmers’ organizations to revalidate their old master passbooks or secure one if they are new applicants to ensure that deliveries are accepted without delay.
Salvatierra said each farmer can deliver up to 200 bags for one cropping season even without an NFA passbook upon presentation of a certification from the agricultural technician.
NFA North Cotabato has offices in Kidapawan City, Mlang, Kabacan and Libungan.
“These area offices are all set up in palay producing places to accommodate individual or group deliveries,” Salvatierra said. (Williamor A. Magbanua/MindaNews)