Luna farmers struggle over low buying price of agricultural produce, with palay declining to as low as P12 per kg and corn at P10 per kg

Luna, Apayao - Farmers in Luna town worry as the buying price of their produce by traders has continued to drop, affecting their income despite a slight increase in yields per hectare brought by government interventions, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) said.

The low buying price, according to the MAO, can affect the next cropping season. For Rice alone, its volume of production in the municipality is projected to be 23,051.86 metric tons by 2028 with a potential expansion area of 2 ha. While for corn, the target volume of production is 8,573 mt and 10 ha possible expansion. For HVCC, 6,009,374.56 mt with 496.85 ha potential expansion.

These may not be realized if the buying price of said produce continues to drop.

In the previous harvest in the 2nd quarter of 2025, the buying price range in Luna decreased. Farmgate prices for play, for example, have declined to as low as P12 per kilogram (fresh) in the dry season - this was even lower than the historical average of P16 per kg.

The same happened with Corn (fresh) with a ceiling price of P10 per kg.

The MAO said one major problem faced by HVCC farmers in Luna for their farm produce was the lack of a stable market. Additionally, although the existing and functional agricultural support services and facilities, mostly convergence initiatives between the LGU and DA, and partner agencies, there is still a need for improvement and upgrading, as well as new strategies to address current issues.

With deep concern for farmers’ welfare, Mayor Januario S. Garde vowed to provide efficient additional interventions to aid farmers in lowering the cost of input, adding the importance of tying up with National Line Agencies for support programs.

“Daytoy ti maysa nga ikkan tayo iti solusyon ta kakaasi piman dagiti padak nga mannalon. Nagbaba ti presyo nu mailakon dagiti produkto da aglalo nu madanunan ti bagyo dagiti apit da, awan choice da nu di ilako da iti nababa nga presyo kadagiti aggatang. Malaksid kadagiti agdama nga interventions ti gobyerno nga maipapaay kadakauda, arapaap ti administrasyon tayo nga maipaayan da iti sigurado nga kita para iti pagkasapulan ti pamilya da,’’ the Mayor underscored.

Based on the MAO data, there are about 9,064 farmers, including fisherfolks registered in the RSBSA in the municipality. Most are engaged in cultivating Rice, Corn, and High value crops, accounting for 3,564.10 hectares, 1,361 ha, and 605.25 ha, respectively.

Data provided by Municipal Agriculturist Julius Casil revealed that in previous years from 2022-2024, the average annual production for rice was 13,992.8 metric tons from the utilized area of 3,564.10 ha across the town.