The National Food Authority (NFA) in Occidental Mindoro has reportedly suspended rice purchases from Mindoreño farmers, citing full warehouses despite earlier directives from agriculture officials to process stockpiled grain, farmers’ group said.

Farmers have also criticized the agency for its slow response to the crisis.

The suspension comes at a critical time when private traders are reportedly offering farmers only P13 per kilogram for their harvests, enormously below sustainable rates for the province’s agricultural sector.

“We’re caught between the NFA’s inability to purchase our rice and private traders who are exploiting the situation with extremely low prices,” Joe Vidal, a farmer leader, was quoted as saying in Tagalog.

In a radio interview, farmers criticized the NFA’s alleged sluggish operational pace, particularly questioning the timing of warehouse rental bidding processes that are only now being initiated at the height of harvest season.

“Why is the agency scrambling to arrange storage space through bidding only now, when farmers’ harvests are already waiting?” Vidal asked. “These preparations should have been completed much earlier, as harvest seasons are predictable.”

Vidal voiced out fears about possible failed bidding procedures that could further delay procurement and questioned whether NFA still has sufficient funds to purchase farmers’ harvests.

He alleged the delays might be “delaying tactics” related to funding issues.

“NFA will certainly deny they’ve stopped buying rice and claim they still have warehouse space in the province,” Vidal added. “But the real question is about their procurement system—how much can they buy from farmers daily, and when will all these problems we’re bringing to the NFA and government finally be resolved?”

Occidental Mindoro, which produces approximately 300,000 metric tons of rice annually, has been designated as one of the country’s major food security areas under the government’s national rice program.

The province’s agricultural sector employs roughly 70 percent of its workforce.

The current buying price should be between P19-23 per kilogram according to recent government guidelines.

Occidental Mindoro Vice Governor Diana Apigo-Tayag has previously accompanied farmer representatives to DA offices to bribg up their predicament.

Farmers have reportedly contacted DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. to expedite rice milling operations.

Farmers expressed frustration following a recent public dialogue where NFA Occidental Mindoro officials reportedly focused on agency achievements rather than offering concrete solutions to the immediate crisis.

The impasse occurs amid the government’s push to implement Republic Act 11203 (Rice Tariffication Law), which liberalized rice imports but has been criticized for making Filipino farmers vulnerable to price fluctuations.

The law was intended to include safeguards for domestic producers, including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Mindoro farmers are now appealing to LGU officials to elevate their woes to national government authorities while commending Vice Governor Tayag for her prompt response to their situation.

RICE PRODUCTION
Occidental Mindoro, a major rice producer in MIMAROPA region, accounted for 374,223 metric tons of palay, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Agriculture and fisheries drive 12.5% of the region’s economy, based on 2018-2020 data. Yet, reports say the NFA’s slow response is jeopardizing livelihoods and access to affordable rice.

Farmers reported weeks-long delays in NFA procurement and distribution, particularly after recent natural disasters.

The problem mirrors previous NFA struggles in the province.

In 2022, Occidental Mindoro lone district Congressman Leody Tarriela pressed the agency to buy storm-damaged palay after Tropical Storm Paeng ravaged 80% of local rice lands.

In 2021, then provincial board member Diana Apigo-Tayag demanded aid for farmers hit by Typhoons Lanie and Maring.

These recurring issues have resurfaced in 2025, reports said.

Residents also noted dwindling NFA rice stocks, driving up prices.

Insiders cite logistics and warehouse constraints as possible causes.

Gov. Ed Gadiano plans to meet with NFA officials to address the crisis, stressing the province’s reliance on a functional system.

Critics pointed out alleged NFA mismanagement and underfunding, urging reforms to support rural areas like Occidental Mindoro, often hit by disasters.

Photo: courtesy of NFA Occidental Mindoro