Policymaking, good governance and the RTL 

Last of two parts

In our column last week, we noted that while it was expected the palay (unmilled rice) farmers would temporarily suffer from lower prices under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the implementation of the productivity-enhancing assistance of the government will lower production costs and increase farmers’ productivity, thus maintaining a healthy profit margin for the tillers. In marginal rice lands, rice farmers will be encouraged to shift to the cultivation of high value crops (HVCs) that generate greater income.