The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday revealed they are balancing efforts to ensure affordable rice in local markets and decent income for farmers.

DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra made the remark following the expansion of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s (KNP) Rice for All program in five major public markets in Metro Manila.

“Binabalanse po natin [ang] kagustuhan ng ating mga magsasaka at kagustuhan ng ating mga mamimili,” Guevarra told a news forum in Quezon City.

The DA continues to recognize the sentiments of farmers whenever rice prices in the market are low.

“May ripple effect kapag masyado binabaan [ang presyo ng bigas]. Kung nagtatanim ako ng bigas, baka madismaya ako na magtanim pa dahil nga wala naman kikitain kung ganiyan na kababa ang presyo,” Guevarra said.

She said the DA still helps farmers through the agency’s banner programs meant to assist rice producing areas often affected by floods and typhoons.

The DA launched the KNP’s Rice for All kiosks in Kamuning Market, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, and Guadalupe Market where consumers can buy mixed local and imported well-milled rice at PhP40 per kilo.

The DA is also planning to partner with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to mount KNP kiosks in LRT and MRT stations. |PND