The government is recalibrating its rice procurement strategy as the dry harvest season reaches its peak, with the National Food Authority (NFA) loosening its buying standards to capture more supply and support farm incomes.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move is part of a broader effort to make procurement policies more responsive to conditions on the ground.

“This is about aligning procurement policy with the realities faced by our farmers,” he said. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been clear. We want farmers to be profitable, not perpetually vulnerable to price swings. A food-secure Philippines starts with farmers who earn fairly from their harvest.”

Under the revised guidelines, the NFA expanded the acceptable moisture content for dry palay to 11 percent to 14 percent, replacing the previous 12 percent to 14 percent range. The adjustment responds to long-standing complaints from farmers that narrowly defined technical standards often resulted in rejected deliveries, limiting their access to the higher support price.

The buying price remains unchanged at P17 per kilo for fresh or wet palay and P21 per kilo for dry palay. However, with the broader moisture allowance and a clearer pest standard now defined as “visibly free from pests,” the agency expects fewer rejections during inspection.

NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson said the timing of the changes is critical as market prices typically soften during peak harvest due to increased supply. “As harvest peaks, prices tend to soften because of oversupply,” he said. “By widening our specifications now, we can absorb more volume and help farmers avoid distress selling. Every percentage point we adjust in moisture tolerance can mean more bags accepted and more income in farmers’ pockets.”

The updated rules were finalized after the agency convened farmers, millers, retailers, and field officials at its Quezon City headquarters on 23 February to review its standard operating procedures. Feedback from stakeholders shaped the revisions.