NFA council OKs additional 750,000 MT of rice imports

THE policy-making body of the National Food Authority (NFA) approved on Monday the additional importation of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of rice for the rest of the year and a standby importation of 1 million MT for 2019.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, on the sidelines of the NFA Council meeting in Quezon City, said the government aimed to “flood the market” with cheap commercial rice and bring down its price “as soon as possible.”