NFA assures residents of adequate rice supply in the markets

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bataan has guaranteed the availability of high-quality rice amid threat of climatic change which may affect agricultural productivity in the countryside.

Ms. Adelaida C. Nuestro, NFA manager for Bataan, described the status of rice stocks of about 100,000 cavans in the agency’s various warehouses in the province are enough to supply the rice requirements of about 700,000 residents for almost a month .

The grain agency has 156 retail outlets mostly concentrated in the public markets, however Ms. Nuestro said the prevailing market situation shows no strong demand for NFA rice at this time.

Based on the statistical analysis of agricultural sector, palay production in Bataan was registered at 3,032,220 cavans last year 2015 against an average daily rice consumption of 4,220 cavans or 1,544,520 cavans per year.

Although the province is not entirely dependent on the local grains production, the manageable shortage in palay production, however, have been filled-up by big-time rice traders from nearby provinces who continuously flooding the local markets of commercial fancy rice variety, Ms. Nuestro added.

She said the influx of factory workers at the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles town and technical and professionals to other ecozones have encouraged rice traders to do business in the province.

The environmental impact of El Nino reportedly slightly influenced agricultural crops particularly palay, but with the presence of thickly-forested areas in the province mountain ranges good supply of waters flow to irrigation canals, rivers and other tributaries.