Filipino farmers expect palay prices to further decline this year due to the string of typhoons and the onset of La Nina.
According to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the recent typhoons amid the harvest season have taken a toll on the country’s palay output, affecting the livelihood of farmers.
The continued rains triggered by typhoons Nika and Ofel since last week damaged rice farms in Cagayan and Isabela.
Damage to agriculture in areas affected by the back-to-back typhoons was estimated at about P9 million.
Tropical Storm “Pepito” will likely affect the harvesting of palay resulting in losses for farmers.
“Due to lack of post-harvest equipment and facilities, farmers will have to harvest their palay earlier than scheduled so as not to incur more losses,” said Joseph Canlas of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon.
Canlas pointed out, “losses are inevitable,” despite the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) supposed quick response fund for rehabilitation of the damaged farms.
Apart from the bad weather condition, groups also said the Rice Import Liberalization Law, or Republic Act No. 11203, would further depress palay prices.
Last year, farmers reportedly lost an estimated P75 billion in income due to the lifting of the quantitative restrictions that allowed unlimited rice importation.
“The effect of Rice Liberalization is equivalent to two years of agricultural losses caused by typhoons,” Canlas said.