Government hikes corn buying price amid Cagayan Valley farmers’ complaints

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Paying heed to the complaints of farmers in Cagayan Valley about the low buying price of corn, the national government has increased its buying price and the volume to be bought from every farmer.

This, as the Isabela provincial board, acting on the petition of Gov. Grace Padaca, declared a state of calamity amid the continued low buying price of corn as a result of the national government’s continued policy of corn importation.

Meanwhile, South Korea and Vietnam are reportedly considering importing corn from this leading corn-producing region, bringing hope to thousands of families involved in corn production.

Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes said the state of calamity would enable the provincial government to utilize the remaining subsidy for corn farmers and augment funds from the province’s calamity fund allocation.

According to the new procurement policy of the government, the National Food Authority (NFA) has now doubled the number of cavans of corn it would purchase in Cagayan Valley from 100 to 200 cavans per farmer.

NFA officials also agreed to increase the agency’s buying price for corn to P10-P12 per kilogram from P7.

NFA officials, however, said one-fourth of the new allocation of 200 cavans per farmer – or 50 cavans – would be purchased at the buying price of at least P12/kg, and the remainder, at P10/kg.

When told of the new scheme, most farmers in Isabela, whose corn produce represents at least 30 percent of the country’s total corn production, said, “It’s at least better than nothing,” or selling their corn produce for less than P7 per kilo.

Some observers, however, said the new scheme did not seem to solve the problem of corn and feed wheat importations that have driven the price of corn to record lows amid the present bumper harvest.

Reports though said the Philippine Maize Federation (PhilMaize) has objected to the new scheme, arguing that it effectively put the buying price of corn only at around P11/kg.

It called on the government to adopt the higher buying price of P13/kg and asked the NFA to lower its quality standards so more corn could be purchased from farmers nationwide.

Raffy Jacinto, of the Isabela Consumer Watch, one of the convenors of a conference among farmers, peasants groups and other interested sectors, said they would stage protest actions, including a march from here to Metro Manila, to call on the national government to stop importing corn.

“The march is also intended to remind Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap about the promises he made to the provincial government and corn farmers in the region that the NFA would be buying half of the produce of corn farmers in the region,” Jacinto said.

Meanwhile, in his visit to Isabela last week, South Korean Ambassador Joong Kyung Choi said his country would consider importing corn from Isabela provided it would meet his country’s standards.

South Korea is importing corn from the United States, Brazil and other South American countries.

Local corn producers said the quality of their corn produce is as good as those from these countries – or may even surpass foreign standards if the government would extend the necessary support like postharvest facilities. –Charlie Lagasca (The Philippine Star)