BIZ BUZZ: Rice farmers go high-tech
Good news for rice producers: a mobile application is under way to help palay (unmilled rice) farmers increase their income by allowing them to monitor real-time market prices.
The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) formalized their collaboration on the Bantay Palay App through the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement.
An official at NFA told Biz Buzz that the mobile app would be rolled out by May, with personnel from both agencies undergoing training to familiarize themselves with its process flow.
Developed by PhilRice, the Bantay Palay App aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of market prices, helping farmers make informed decisions when selling their produce.
“Collaborations between government agencies play a crucial role in ensuring that our farmers have access to the right tools and information to improve their productivity and income,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said on Facebook.
Here’s hoping that this new tech will move the needle toward fair pricing and market efficiency in the rice sector.
