The National Food Authority (NFA) is studying the possible procurement of corn to aid local farmers amid the declining farmgate prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

“For 2025, according to NFA, since hindi iyan na (since it’s not) programmed for 2025, they will find ways on how procurement for corn can be included in their procurement activities for the year,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview.

The NFA has only PHP9 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the procurement of palay (unhusked rice) for the national rice buffer stock.

De Mesa said the NFA may look into tapping unprogrammed funds to buy corn this year.

“For the 2026 plan and budget proposal, isasama na raw nila ang (they will include the) budget for procurement of corn,” he said.

During the House Quinta Committee hearing on Tuesday, some lawmakers called on the NFA to procure at least 800,000 metric tons (MT) of local corn at PHP17 per kilogram amid the declining demand in the swine sector due to the effects of African swine fever.

“Nung bumaba iyong demand, bumagsak iyong presyo, according sa industry, ng hanggang (When the demand dropped, the prices also declined, according to the industry, to as low as) PHP12 per kilo,” he said.

In recent years, De Mesa noted that the usual farmgate price of corn ranged from PHP18/kg to PHP21/kg; with production cost ranging from PHP10/kg to PHP12/kg.

While the study is still underway, de Mesa said the DA is ready to assist local corn farmers, including in the distribution of seedlings, fertilizers, machinery, and availability of credit assistance.

He, however, stressed that robust local corn production remains important considering its high demand in the poultry subsector.

“Mas malaki kasi iyong feed requirements ng poultry at saka ng layers. Ang poultry at saka yung layers, base doon sa huling datos ng (There’s a higher feed requirement in the poultry and layers. The poultry and layers, based on the latest data of the) PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), increased by 6 percent,” he said.

There are 1.4 million corn farmers in the country, with the main producing areas located in Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen. (PNA)