In order to counter the sharp increases in production costs, the Philippine National Food Authority, or NFA, has decided to increase its buying support price for paddy rice by 10% to PHP11 a kilogram with immediate effect.

The NFA also provides an additional incentive of PHP0.50/kg for farmers who are members of cooperatives. Last year, the NFA bought a total of 74 million kgs under its price support program, which is intended to boost farmers' income.
 
Philippine paddy rice output between January-December this year is projected to rise 5% to 16.2 million MT.