Perceptions of Rice Farmers & Retailers Towards the National Food Authority’s Restructuring Plan

Since the implementation of the RA No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA developed a restructuring plan for improving its effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its new mandate. This study, therefore, using a quantitative design, examined farmers, retailers, and jail workers, male and female’s level of agreements on the effects of the NFA’s restructuring program in terms of their awareness, time optimization, profit return, and transportation and labor costs. Data was collected using a crafted survey questionnaire to unveil in what aspect should the agency focus on improving. Findings suggest that, most of the respondents are in favor with the program despite the difference in gender and age. Although, since the decrease of NFA rice stocks due to discontinued importation, the agency’s distribution program affected rice retailers. Moreover, this study found out that the agency should improve on its procurement process, especially in providing proper drying facilities to attract more farmers that increases the number of rice paddies for buffer stocking to be distributed that would suffice to local citizens. This study provides baseline data for future studies about how the restructuring plan of the NFA impacts its stakeholders and the country in ways beyond what was measured on this survey. This research was done limiting only to one of the many regions in the Philippines and focused on the immediate effects and did not assess long-term impacts. It would thus be appropriate for similar investigations to be carried out in other areas of the country.