Phl negotiating rice supply deals with Pakistan, India

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is in talks with the governments of Pakistan and India for rice supply deals to meet the Philippines' import requirements and create a more competitive market.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday that the DA is in talks with envoys from Pakistan and India to get commitments for the supply of two million metric tons (MT) of rice to meet the Philippines' import requirements, if needed.

Tiu Laurel met with Pakistani Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi to finalize a memorandum of understanding, under which the South Asian country would allocate for the Philippines up to one million metric tons of rice annually, according to the DA.

The DA said similar negotiations are underway with India.

"The intention is to create a level playing field among our rice supplying nations," Tiu Laurel said.