Farmers’ group seeks transparency in rice stocks data amid PSA discrepancies

May 23, 2024 , 05:11 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(May 23, 2024) – A farmers’ group on Thursday flagged the discrepancies in the official data on rice stocks and production released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

According to the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), the PSA reported 1.64 million tons of rice as of April 1, sufficient for 44 days of consumption. However, calculations starting January 1 suggest the figure should have been 2.46 million tons, enough for 66 days.

“The discrepancy of about 800,000 metric tons, equivalent to about 22 days’ supply, is very significant. If the PSA data are correct, it means that our palay output has been overstated all along. They also imply that our rice supply will tighten in the coming months, especially since El Niño’s impact on the second quarter harvest is expected to be more serious,” said FFF in a media release.

The PSA reported that palay output during the first quarter of the year declined by about 2% due to El Niño, while yields dropped by an average of 1.8%.

“Inexplicably, however, rainfed areas appear to have been less affected than irrigated farms despite the lack of rain. The percentage reduction in output and yield in irrigated areas was about double that in areas dependent on rainfall,” added FFF.

Last year, FFF urged the government to be transparent in its importation plans following the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) decision to import 295,000 metric tons of rice from India. This, according to the DA, would stabilize rice prices.

However, rice prices in the country rose to 22.6% in January—the highest since March 2009.

Last week, Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. said the government found a solution to lower rice prices via importation. He infamously declared during his campaign that he would reduce rice prices to P20 per kilo.

Amid the discrepancies, FFF called on the PSA to review its data.

“Synchronize them with the information systems of the Department of Agriculture in order to avoid confusion and miscalculations in determining actual rice stock levels and outputs,” said the farmers’ group.

(PM)

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