PH to import extra 500,000 MT rice

The inter-agency National Food Authority (NFA) Council has approved importation of another 500,000 metric tons of rice this year on expectations that local palay (unhusked rice) production will fall short of target, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

In an interview, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala disclosed that Manila plans to import 250,000 MT to serve as buffer stock during the so-called lean season (June-September), while delivery of the remaining 250,000 MT still has to be decided by the NFA.