Cebu corn farmers assured of fair price

CEBU, Philippines — In a major boost to local agriculture, corn farmers in Cebu are now assured of a season-long guaranteed floor buying price for their produce, following a commitment from a leading poultry and hog feed mill operator in the region.

Former Agriculture Secretary Manny Pi ol, now consultant on food security to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, announced the development after a Zoom meeting with Charoen Pokphand Food Philippines (CPF) executives, including Purchasing Executive Ian Bernardino and Thai official Phaisarn, yesterday.

The agreement stemmed from Pi ol s proposal earlier this month during a consultation in General Santos City with CPF officials Sattra Singsathit, Jaruek Lamungthong, and Lawrence Kent Caballero.

 This is a strategy I had long considered to encourage farmers to produce more, knowing that they are assured of fair prices,  Pi ol said on his verified Facebook account.

Under the scheme, farmers will be informed of a fixed minimum buying price for corn, sorghum, and soybeans at the start of each planting season. While market prices may rise, CPF guarantees that the rate will not fall below the declared floor price.

CPF s feed mills in Cebu require about 10,000 metric tons of corn annually, most of which is sourced outside the province. Meeting this demand locally would require cultivating at least 2,500 hectares of yellow corn, assuming an average yield of five metric tons per hectare.

Pi ol said this presents an opportunity for Northern Cebu, particularly in Bogo City, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, and Medellin, where vast tracts of land have remained idle since the closure of sugar mills.

 In my consultations with farmers in Northern Cebu, they expressed willingness to plant corn, sorghum, and soybeans if they are assured of a fair price for their produce,  he said.

The initiative is expected to revitalize Cebu s corn industry, lessen dependence on outside supply, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the province.   FPL (CEBU NEWS)