NFA cuts palay handling time, costs

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) has substantially reduced palay handling time and costs in a pilot test of one-ton bags, replacing conventional 50-kilogram sacks in a system that could speed up grain procurement, maximize warehouse capacity, and free up funds for buying more palay.

“Our pilot test showed a 75 percent reduction in handling time and a 50 percent cut in handling costs. Work that used to take an hour can now be completed in just 15 minutes, while handling costs are halved. Using tonner bags also allows us to make better use of warehouse space,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who chairs the NFA Council, said the potential savings could ultimately benefit rice farmers by allowing the agency to stretch its procurement budget and buy more palay from local producers.

Lacson inspected the system at the agency’s Triplex Warehouse in Davao del Sur on Thursday to assess its performance and identify improvements in palay procurement and storage.