NFA Targets Local Corn Procurement by 2026
MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) has announced plans to resume local corn procurement by 2026, aiming to support Filipino farmers and stabilize the agricultural market. This move marks a return to the agency’s original mandate, which covers both rice and corn procurement.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson shared that the agency will begin this initiative in selected areas as a pilot project, contingent on the availability of budget. “It’s just a pilot next year once we have a budget. Selected areas first since we haven’t had corn procurement activity for a long time,” he said in a message to reporters.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Farmers’ Welfare
This plan was first introduced by the Department of Agriculture earlier this year and was reaffirmed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the “Ugnayan with Farmers” forum in Nueva Ecija. The President emphasized that the NFA’s renewed role in buying corn is meant to ensure farmers earn a decent livelihood.
“The NFA will also start buying corn. We’re really going back to the original role of the NFA, which is rice and corn. That price should ensure a decent livelihood for our farmers,” Marcos said. He added, “We will make sure that our farmers have a better livelihood—not constantly struggling and not always left guessing what needs to be done to improve their harvest.”
Declining Corn Stockpile Highlights Need for Procurement
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that the country’s local corn stockpile dropped to 328,400 metric tons in January, a 45 percent decline compared to the previous year. This figure also represented a 40.1 percent decrease from December’s levels. The shrinking corn supply underscores the urgency of reviving local procurement efforts to support farmers and secure the food supply.
Farmers Face Challenges Amid El Niño
Amid the dry conditions brought by the El Niño phenomenon, farmers have struggled with their harvests. In some farming communities, like in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, crops such as corn have started to dry prematurely. The NFA’s plan to resume local corn procurement offers hope for these farmers to receive fair compensation and improve their livelihoods.
For more news and updates on local corn procurement, visit Filipinokami.com.