FAO: Cheap rice program hurts farmers

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) commended the Philippine government for introducing the ₱20-per-kilo rice program, which expands access to cheaper rice for underprivileged sectors, but warned that it could threaten farmers' livelihoods if left unchecked.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

FAO representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie said the global organization supports the program as it promotes both food security and poverty eradication. However, he noted that this should be only for the short term.

Launched last April, the Department of Agriculture (DA) rolled out the "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" rice program in order to fulfill the campaign promise of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.