NFA to buy corn from farmers in 2026

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government will buy corn — in addition to rice — from farmers in 2026.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the announcement on Monday, June 30, in an event in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

“Bumabalik talaga tayo doon sa dating trabaho ng NFA na rice and corn [We are returning to the original work of NFA in rice and corn],” Marcos told farmers, referring to the National Food Authority.

“At again, ang presyo na iyan ay kailangan maganda ang hanapbuhay ng ating mga farmer. Kahit anong presyo sa palengke, hindi konektado ‘yun,” he also said.

[Translation: And again, the buying price must be good for the livelihood of our farmers. Market prices are not connected with the buying price.]

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said around P500 million to P1 billion will be requested in the 2026 budget for the NFA to procure corn.

“Marami po tayong areas sa Pilipinas kumakain ng corn grits, at least para masubukan din na pababain ang demand ng bigas,” he said.

[Translation: Many areas in the Philippines still consume corn grits, and at least try to lower the demand for rice.]

With the rice tariffication law, the NFA has been stripped of its regulatory powers. It buys palay from local farmers to maintain buffer stocks for calamities and emergencies.