NFA Caraga assures steady rice supply in Agusan Sur amid El Niño
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — As El Niño continues to affect Agusan del Sur and the wider Caraga region, causing losses in agricultural production, the National Food Authority (NFA) Caraga assured residents that the province and region’s rice supply remains stable.
NFA Regional Manager Leo Damole emphasized that despite the challenges of the prolonged dry spell, the agency has sufficient rice stocks from local farmers and existing reserves.
“We currently have paddy rice equivalent to 138,603 bags, of which 87,320 have already been milled. Together with our existing 97,363 bags, this brings our total available supply to 184,683 bags. Specifically for Agusan del Sur, we have 84,864 bags of paddy rice equivalent to 30,784 bags of milled rice, plus 83,823 bags of existing rice, totaling 114,607 bags. We do not face a shortage because we can procure more, and Caraga remains one of the sufficient regions in the entire Philippines,” Damole explained.
Infrastructure and modernization efforts
To further strengthen rice supply management, NFA Caraga has initiated infrastructure projects under the Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization (MAFIM) program. It is establishing a new facility in La Paz, Agusan del Sur, expected to be completed next year.
“We will begin construction of a warehouse this year, and by next year, equipment will be installed. The facility will include four 30-ton dryers and a rice mill,” Damole said.
The facility is expected to process up to 120 tons of rice daily, ensuring faster and more efficient handling of paddy rice. In addition, NFA Caraga plans to acquire more trucks to improve rice supply collection and distribution across the region.
Support for local farmers
NFA Caraga continues to encourage farmers to sell their paddy rice to the agency, ensuring both fair compensation and a reliable supply chain.
“Our warehouses are open. Farmers may bring their rice samples for quality inspection. If the rice meets our standards, we can store it for up to six months before milling. We buy well-dried rice at P28 per kilogram,” Damole added.
This initiative not only stabilizes rice availability but also provides farmers with consistent market support during the El Niño crisis.
With these measures, NFA Caraga underscores its commitment to safeguarding food security in Agusan del Sur and the entire Caraga region, ensuring that communities remain resilient despite the ongoing climate challenges. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur with a report from PTV Agusan del Sur)